lydia trecroce / soulcuts

Little Bits of Fiction 2

2011-02-01T10:03:00.006+02:00

The following stories were written for storypraxis, a literary experiment which involves writing for 10 minutes, or so, on daily word prompts.

arrival
by Lydia Trecroce (1/25/11)

Like Pavlovian puppies they anticipated its arrival, observing the signs of its coming. Taking their cue from a rolling-down sun, children prodded balls and bicycles homeward. Mothers set dinners on tables, while the sky tucked around their roofs, vivid as an Indian blanket. Clocks and Fathers wound down. Because of what would come, children obeyed and ate their green beans.

It began as a tinkling, a fairy awakening in the distance. The heart of every boy and girl trilled, yet some found the bell’s appeal confounding their decisions. Too soon for the adults, the delicate song grew in length, strength, nearness. Fathers could not empty their pockets quickly enough. Small bare feet hit the floor running.

Out to the street the kids dashed. They formed jagged lines. They licked ready lips. One by one, the children—who’d endured much to receive this privilege—offered up orders and quarters at the marvelous ice temple on wheels.

dancing in my head
by Lydia Trecroce (1/8/11)

Carlson Patrick received many things in the state penitentiary, and his scarred body testified of this. But the last item he received was different. As he entered the courtyard of the prison, he noticed, for the first time, the gritty dust tamped hard by the heavy tread of the hopeless. That’s us, he thought, was me. But not anymore. Carlson surveyed the unyielding walls surrounding him. His gaze rose above the electrified wire to the bright winter sky. Above his head, white-robed clouds floated pure and free. A multitude of positive emotions coursed through Carlson at once, and he almost short-circuited. The buzz Carlson felt was infinitely greater than anything he’d experienced getting laid or high. A glance at the toughs in the yard checked his impulse to break out in a jig. Carlson spied his pals Rufus, Doc and The Kid crouching in the shadow of the building from where he’d emerged. Cigarette break by cigarette break, they ticked off the days of their life sentences. Carlson used to do this too, until late last night. Kneeling by his bunk in the dark, he’d opened his heart to the Supreme Judge. Today, he would tell his buddies how he’d been pardoned.

castle
by Lydia Trecroce (1/12/11)

Ms. Reynolds pointed to a tan puddle on the floor of the office kitchenette. “Deke, would you get this please? Thanks.” The woman lifted her high-heeled foot and, like a dog with a wet paw, she shook it daintily. Then she stepped over the spilled coffee and shot through the doorway, crumbling the janitor’s reply in her wake.

“No problem, ma’am.” Deke knotted the neck of his trash bag and went for his mop. He was accustomed to people ignoring his words. All his life, he’d been the one to heed the words of others. In his youth, naturally he’d obeyed the commands of his parents and his teachers. After that and up to the present, he served an entire corporation of individuals, most of whom, now, were decades younger than himself.

Empty trashcans, clean toilets, mop and polish floors—Deke labored without a word of complaint. Often, people took advantage of him, diverting him from an assigned chore to cater to their personal needs. Adjust lamps, fetch supplies, procure insect repellent (?)—no one, including the janitor, seemed to know the boundary that separated servitude from slavery. But it didn’t matter anyway, because Deacon Jones knew in his heart he was a king.

***

As soon as Deke stepped through the doorway of his home, Queen Edna quit chopping vegetables and embraced him. Deke believed no ermine robe could feel finer on his aching body than his wife’s plump arms. “Hi Daddy!” shrieked Princess Lily running to the fridge. After pouring a tall goblet of his favorite lemon ambrosia, the little girl set the drink into the king’s chapped hands, anointing them with many tiny kisses. Prince Deacon Jr. brought the royal slippers. The boy gladdened his father’s heart with reports of his scholarly triumphs. In the sweet half hour before the feast, Deke settled into his La-Z-Boy throne and meditated on the abundance of his riches.

Little Bits of Fiction

2011-01-31T09:46:00.004+02:00

http://magazine.storypraxis.com/tag/lydiatrecroce

Taking a Break

2010-04-29T19:40:00.012+03:00

Hi there! First, let me apologize for my sudden and lengthy disappearance from this blog. I'm so sorry. I should have posted sooner. After a highly eventful summer (and way too much to write about), I decided to give this blog a rest and concentrate on finishing up some projects. I'm still working on those projects, and I don't know when I'll be back. If you're a new visitor, please feel free to wander around, check out back posts (scroll down to the bottom of the page) and enjoy the photos.

I'm glad you stopped by. All the best to you!

photo: Yangshuo, China 2009 by A. Tsirozidis

To Love, Honor and Transport

2009-03-20T09:16:00.020+02:00

Most neighborhoods in Greece are cluttered with a variety of shops, so it's possible to get what you need on foot. This is how my mother-in-law shopped until an inflamed nerve in her thigh grounded her. Like a good husband, my father-in-law saw that his wife's problem was his problem too. He needed to drive her around. But how? Heavy traffic and almost non-existent parking dissuaded him from using his car. He solved the dilemma by treating himself to a new toy. The funny-looking "roofed scooter" in the above photo belongs to my 79-year-old father-in-law.

Before they were married, Peter's dad courted his mom on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar. So, Peter loves the irony of the scooter. He sees the history of his parents' wheels as having come full circle (no pun intended).

I asked my mother-in-law how she liked her new mode of transportation. Her reply: "I'd much rather ride in the car."

***

Quips passed on to me:

Troubles in marriage often start when a man gets so busy earning his salt that he forgets his sugar.

Too many couples marry for better or for worse, but not for good

When a man marries a woman, they become one - but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one

If a man has enough "horse sense" to treat h is wife like a thoroughbred, she will never be an old nag

Judging from the specimens they pick for husbands, It's no wonder that brides often blush

On anniversaries the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present

A foolish husband remarks to his wife: "Honey, you stick to the washing, ironing, cooking, and scrubbing. No wife of mine is going to work."

The bonds of matrimony are a good investment only when the interest is kept up

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg or a goose egg depends a lot on the kind of chick he marries.

Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, make beds, is in good health...and he's already used to taking orders.

Grandpa and his wife were discussing their 40th wedding anniversary when she said: "shall I kill a chicken for tonight?" "Gnaw," said Grandpa, "Why blame a bird for something that happened 40 years ago

the wife has the last word in any argument. anything the man says after that starts a new argument.

A husband should always maintain a close, friendly relationship with his mother and father in law; they are the only ones who can keep his wife in her proper place.

Over the Hill and Gliding Home

2009-03-16T18:44:00.009+02:00

Some benefits of being 50+:

1. A. You finally understand everyone is flawed and you can't change anyone but yourself.
B. You find it much easier to love and accept each individual, including yourself.

2. A. You have a heightened sense that time is running out.
B. You no longer sweat the little things.

3. A. You realize there isn't one problem that doesn't have a solution.
B. You've become more optimistic, more patient.

4. A.You don't take yourself half as seriously as you once did.
B. Laughter comes more easily.

5. A. Most of the major brush strokes you will lay on the canvas of your life have dried.
B. You're freer to linger over the finer details.

photo: Cyclist on Mt. Hymmetus by L. Trecroce

We have a winner!

2009-03-15T17:07:00.008+02:00

The result of the drawing for last month's featured book giveaway is in. I asked my husband to do the honors, so he stuck his hand into the baseball cap and drew out a slip of paper with one of the contestants' names written on it. I'm pleased to announce the winner of Amy Deardon's thrilling action-adventure novel, A Lever Long Enough, is Vicki Pappas. Congratulations, Vicki!

A Lever Long Enough is available through Amazon, here.
Autographed copies of the book are available at the publisher's website, here.

A Friend in a High Place

2009-03-13T09:02:00.022+02:00

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." -Proverbs 16:32,33

Let me tell you about my lot and how the Lord neatly disposed of it. Remember the trouble I had, a few months ago, when I went to renew my residence permit? Remember how I grumbled because there seemed to be no way out of paying a hefty, hugely unfair fine? (I'm too ashamed to link you back to that post.) Yesterday, I picked up my new residence card and I ended up paying NOTHING. Not a cent! I don't know how the Lord worked things out, but He did. The town hall clerk, the one who'd previously shown no sympathy, handed me my card, smiled sweetly, and told me that was it. I couldn't believe my ears! But then, what's not to believe? With God, all things are possible.

This was one of the many lessons God has taught me about trusting in Him with all of my heart. Maybe one of these days, I'll wise up.

***

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

photo: Cypress on Mt. Hymettus by L. Trecroce

Clean Monday on Philopappou Hill

2009-03-03T18:19:00.037+02:00

Yesterday Greeks celebrated Kathari Deftera or Clean Monday, their first day of lent. Traditionally on this holiday, people trek to the nearest hills with their families, fly kites and picnic on special foods. (You can see & read all about the unusual dishes here in my post from last year). Everyone relaxes, enjoys the fresh air and has a good time.

No matter how bad the weather has been previously, Clean Mondays always seem to dawn miraculously clear and mild. Peter and I took advantage of the spring-like day to climb Philopappou Hill--the hill next to the Acropolis. The following photos capture a bit of the festivities we found there.

The Athens "magic" tour bus. Psychedelic, man.

The guests of honor.

Getchyer hot popcorn and "old lady's hair" (cotton candy)!

Opa!

Philopappou's summit. It was dangerous up there with all those kites! Poor Peter got hit in the head by one on its way down.

Free as a butterfly on a string.

All photos property of Lydia Trecroce. Do not use without permission.

Wisdom & Chuckles

2009-02-26T10:23:00.014+02:00

Here are some oldies but goodies (in no particular order):

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter is not a nice person.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

Don't worry about what people think; they do it very often.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.

Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.

Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.

Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

The most destructive force in the universe is hatred.

Your friends love you anyway.

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Photo: "Tortoise in Camden Aquarium," by L. Trecroce

Author Interview & Book Giveaway

2009-02-17T10:53:00.019+02:00

Wouldn't it be thrilling to visit Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' resurrection? Friend and author Amy Deardon takes the old idea of time travel and gives it a new twist in her stunning debut novel, A Lever Long Enough.

Not usually a fan of action adventure stories, I was blown away by Amy's masterful plot and meticulous attention to detail. She dovetails the awe-inspiring history of the first century with the chilling technology of latter times for a fast-paced, action-packed suspense. As a friend of mine remarked, after swiping the novel from me and devouring it in one night, "A Lever Long Enough would make a terrific movie!"

Okay, here's Amy now. Be sure to stick around to find out how you can win an autographed copy of this book.

Amy, tell us a little about yourself.

I’m married and fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with our two children, now 15 and 12. In my life B.C. (before children) I did bench science research and taught anatomy and physiology at an undergraduate level.

I undertook a personal quest to investigate the claims of Jesus’ resurrection with the goal of destroying them. To do this I studied biblical and extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and numerous commentaries by believers and skeptics alike, listed the facts agreed upon, and began to explore scenarios that could explain what was known. To my surprise and considerable dismay, the evidence kept pointing away from naturalistic explanations and eventually formed a virtually certain case for the resurrection of Jesus. Finally I admitted defeat and became a Christian.

What is your book about?

In the near future, the Israeli military has developed a prototypic time machine. When believers in Yeshua (Jesus) create a politically explosive situation that threatens the balance of peace between Israel and nearby countries, the Israelis must send a team of four elite soldiers back to film the theft of Jesus’ body from the tomb and thus disprove Christianity. The team, consisting of a Special Forces soldier as leader (Benjamin), an ex-American astronaut as engineering specialist (Sara), an archaeologist, and a linguist, has exactly seventy-two hours to collect the video evidence. Drawn into a web of first century deception and death, the only way to escape is for the team to change the past. In the present, a traitor, Gideon, attempts to sabotage the mission and seize control of the military complex. Benjamin is the only one who can reveal him, but he is trapped two thousand years away. Even with a time machine, time is running out…

Which character in your novel most interested you while you wrote?

I love all of my characters, but if I had to choose a favorite, I’d pick Sara. She is very much like me—focused, quiet, but beneath her calm exterior a seething mass of turmoil. Her faith journey also parallels my own—she didn’t want to become a believer, but was pulled in by the strength of the evidence. She was pursued by what C.S. Lewis termed the *Hounds of Heaven.* An uncomfortable process, I might add!

What are you working on now?

I have two half-finished projects that I’m eager to complete in 2009 – an ambitious yet hopefully do-able goal, if I’m very organized. The first project is my prequel, entitled Nest Among the Stars from Obadiah 1:4, that follows Sara’s space station disaster. This one is really shock and awe, with a deep theme of forgiveness.

The second project is nonfiction, entitled The Story Template, that is a practical guide for a writer to develop a resonant, complete, compelling story from vague ideas. It’s based on an algorithm I’ve developed during my story studies, and with students I’ve coached it really works. It’s not a formula, more like a description of proportions and guidelines that work with any genre, since I’m a great believer in the uniqueness of each artist’s vision. You can see a sample tutorial I’ve put on my website under “resources.”

I've used your Story Template to map out my second novel. What I like about it is, compared to other "systems", it's easy to follow and it works! So, thank you for sharing that on your website.

Tell me, Amy, have you always wanted to be an author?

Oh yes, although it’s a daunting thing when you actually sit in front of the computer and think, “Now what shall I write?”

Which author has inspired you the most?

C.S. Lewis. He has an amazing mind, and he draws such wonderful metaphors.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Yes. Don’t expect to produce perfect prose off the bat – just as you wouldn’t expect to play a Beethoven Sonata for your first piano lesson. Just believe in yourself, and persist.

Amy, thanks so much for spending time with us today, and blessings on A Lever Long Enough. I look forward to your future books.

Reader, if you're interested in entering the drawing for an autographed copy of A Lever Long Enough, please submit a comment to this post. The winner will be chosen & announced on March 15th.

***
For more on this author, go to: http://www.amydeardon.com or http://amydeardon.blogspot.com

The Burning Heart

2009-02-14T10:51:00.034+02:00

Inspired by what I read in Luke 24 of the Bible this morning, I decided to do a special Valentine's Day study of the heart. I wanted to examine the heart beyond its function as a bodily organ, so I began by taking a look at these definitions from Dictionary.com:

Heart

3.	the center of the total personality, esp. with reference to intuition, feeling, or emotion: In your heart you know I'm an honest man.

4.	the center of emotion, esp. as contrasted to the head as the center of the intellect: His head told him not to fall in love, but his heart had the final say.

5.	capacity for sympathy; feeling; affection: His heart moved him to help the needy.

6.	spirit, courage, or enthusiasm: His heart sank when he walked into the room and saw their gloomy faces.

7.	the innermost or central part of anything: Notre Dame stands in the very heart of Paris.

8.	the vital or essential part; core: the heart of the matter.

9.	the breast or bosom: to clasp a person to one's heart.

10.	a person (used esp. in expressions of praise or affection): dear heart.

In the passage of scripture I read today, two of Jesus' disciples are walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. It's the third day since Jesus has died and been buried, and the disciples are sad. They're walking along, talking about the events of the past few days, when who should join their little road trip, but Jesus! He disguises Himself and asks them why they're sad. What He's really doing is testing their faith.

The disciples, thinking Jesus is a newcomer to Jerusalem, tell Him all about "the mighty prophet" (already, they've begun to doubt Jesus is God). "He was condemned to death and crucified," they say. Knowing scripture and the prophecy of His resurrection, they add with disappointment, "Beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done."

They go on to tell Jesus some of His disciples found His tomb empty and saw angels, who testified that He is alive. Yet, the travelers still doubt, saying, "but him they (the other disciples) saw not."

Like most humans, they "have to see it to believe it."

IMHO, eyesight is highly overrated when it comes to seeing. There are other ways to "see". As Jesus demonstrates in the story, the eyes of faith are in the heart.

Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explains to the travelers all the things concerning Himself in the scriptures. He reveals Himself through scripture, just as He does today. The disciples realize this later, because they say to each other, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

In addition to being a life-giving organ for our carnal bodies, the heart has great spiritual purpose. The muscle in our chests can only keep us alive for so long. The burning intuitive heart, when submitted to God, leads to righteousness and life everlasting.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9,10

(Comments are most welcomed. However, any comments containing derogatory statements made toward the author and her readers will be deleted. Please be courteous.)

Life Outside the Goldfish Bowl

2009-02-06T10:26:00.027+02:00

Some random musings.

First of all,
Sorry for the dearth of posts these days. I attribute that to 2 things:

1. Something is wrong with my camera or its cable. Until I locate and fix the problem, I can't upload any fresh pics. Bummer!

2. I was busy finishing up novel #2, which I did a few days ago (Feb 2nd). Hooray! Now I'm working on the rewrites. This is the fun part for me. I love fleshing out my story skeleton. One aspect of the filling-in process is visiting the locations where different scenes take place. Peter and I will motorcycle to the farther reaches of Chios and Evvia Islands in early summer. Tomorrow, in the name of research :) we plan to have coffee at a Starbucks in the center of the city, and then ride up to the summit of Mt. Hymettus. Sounds like a fun thing to do on a Saturday, right?

For a shy gal like me, asserting myself for the sake of my stories has been a good experience. Yesterday, I walked into the Athens Hilton and asked an executive there to show me around their meeting rooms. I explained that I was a novelist, researching a setting, but for some reason he expected I would actually book a convention there in the future! Well, you never know. Maybe my novel will hit it big and I'll need a place to hold a press conference. A girl can dream, can't she? Anyway, Mr. K. the Hilton exec was very patient, answering my questions and waiting for me to scribble down descriptions of the rooms. I ended my tour in the hotel's famed Byzantine Restaurant, where my two characters eat lunch. Here's the difference between fact and fiction: My characters eat a meal; I could only afford iced tea.

About the photo above: No, I didn't paint it, although I wish I had. Goldfish was painted by one of my favorite artists, Henri Matisse. His cut paper work especially inspired me. You can see his influence in one of my silkscreens, Taverna Chairs with Cat. A reproduction of Goldfish hangs in my living room. I chose the print because the colors match my decor, but mainly because it's fun to look at.

Beholding Beauty

2009-01-26T23:13:00.013+02:00

The street musician, dressed in a long-sleeved T-shirt and baseball cap, begins to play his nearly-300-year-old Stradivari in the arcade of a Washington DC metro station.

The music irritates the shoe shine lady, who works in the arcade, because it’s too loud and she can’t hear her customers. She usually calls the metro or mall cops to come chase the street performers away. Since this violinist is “pretty good”, for once, she makes an exception.

The violinist plays for three minutes. Sixty-three people scurry by before a middle-aged man pauses to listen. Then he hurries away. Although the violinist is, in his own words, “makin’ a lot of noise”, people in line for lottery tickets, a hundred feet away, do not even turn to look at him. He passionately performs one of the most intricate pieces of music ever written, yet no crowd forms. There is no applause.

A couple of minutes into his next song, a woman and her preschooler emerge from a nearby escalator. The woman walks briskly, tugging the child along. The little boy wants to stop and listen to the musician. He keeps turning back to look at him. But the mother is in a hurry, so she discourages her son by blocking his view with her body.

During the violinist’s forty-three minute performance, 1,070 people, many as close as three feet away, pass him by as if oblivious to his presence. One guy, sporting an iPod, denies the musician being there at all, although he has just passed within four feet of him. A total of only six people stop to listen to the violinist for at least a minute.

The violinist is concluding his solo, when a woman stops and listens in awe. She recognizes the performer and she's appalled that people toss him quarters, even pennies! She adds a twenty-dollar bill to his earnings of $32.17. Hard to know what to give an international virtuoso whose formal concerts sell out, seats averaging $100.

The violinist is the world-renowned Joshua Bell, and his incognito appearance in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities. The premise was: In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?” (For more details, read the Washington Post article and view the video clips at: Pearls Before Breakfast).

A writer for the Post watched the speeded up videotape of the experiment and called it “a grim danse macabre to indifference, inertia and the dingy, gray rush of modernity.”

The story is indeed a sad commentary on humanity today. It's pitiful when we allow the momentum of our routines to render us immune to the unexpected beauty in life. Sadder still is when, in the rush to our deaths, we ignore God's presence, tune out His voice, and pass up all the wonderful things He freely gives, including eternal life.

"Be still, and know that I am God:" Psalm 46:10

Cheese Sandwiches

2009-01-23T11:03:00.008+02:00

Here's a cute, true story:

There was an immigrant family on a ship from Europe to American. They were so poor they spent almost all of their money on the ticket. What they had left over for food was only enough to buy bread and cheese.

The young boy, Hans, said to his father, "Dad, please give me some money for an ice cream cone. I hate these cheese sandwiches!"

His father said, "Son, we are poor. Cheese sandwiches will keep you alive until we reach New York, where the streets are made of gold and we will eat whatever we want."

Not satisfied, Hans continued to beg for money. Finally, his father gave him change for an ice cream cone. The boy disappeared and didn't come back for two hours. When he returned he sported a big fat tummy and a huge smile on his face.

"Hans, did you get your ice cream cone?"

"You bet, Dad. And then another one, then a steak, and then apple pie."

"What? You bought all that with the money I gave you?"

"Oh no Dad, it's free! It comes with the ticket!"

***

Spiritually, we're on a journey like these immigrants--except, we seek a place where the streets are truly paved with gold. Some of us, like Hans's parents, keep to ourselves and what we know, ignorant or misinformed as we might be. We exist on cheese sandwiches, when there's a full feast waiting for us between the pages of the Bible.

In John 6:35 Jesus Christ says, "I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."

Log Lines

2009-01-16T17:33:00.020+02:00

As so often happens in my writing life, last night I was seized with doubt when I began typing one of the final chapters to the first draft of my current novel. Was I veering off course again? I pulled out my story structure template (waving to Amy) and rough Snowflake (Randy) and took a look at my log line.

A log line, sometimes called the pitch line or premise, summarizes a story in one sentence. Log lines keep a writer focused, and are necessary to have when people—from editors and agents to family & friends--ask what the story is about.

Sound simple? It wasn’t for me, at first. No matter how much time I spent on my log line, I was never satisfied with the wording of it. I decided to study this deeper, and see what examples I could find online. In my search, I discovered a wonderfully helpful article by Christopher Lockhart entitled I Wrote a 120 Page Script but Can’t Write a Logline: The Construction of a Logline.

About a log line, he says:

“It presents the major throughline of the dramatic narrative without character intricacies and sub-plots. It is the story boiled down to its base. A logline must present:

who the story is about (protagonist)

what he strives for (goal)
what stands in his way (antagonistic force)

Okay, that I knew. He goes on to say:

“Sometimes a logline must include a brief set-up. A logline does not tell the entire story. It merely uses these three (sometimes four) major story elements to depict the dramatic narrative in an orderly and lucid manner.

“Screenplays ask dramatic questions throughout the course of the story. These questions create tension and motivate the reader to turn to the next page. A logline does the same thing in miniature: it raises questions that evoke curiosity and stir up potentiality.

“A good logline (like the screenplay itself) should boast a story that is not dependent on its ending. Providing too much information in a logline can backfire by giving the executive more information in which to find fault. A brief but well constructed logline should tease and raise many questions to successfully pique the interest of the executive.” He also advises against using theme in the logline.

Amy Deardon, in her story structure template, calls the log line a “zinger” and says it should include irony if possible. (See if you can spot irony in the examples below)

Note: A log line is not to be confused with a tag line, which is a catchphrase used in advertising. Ex: JAWS II: “Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water…”doesn't tell what the story's about.

Once I learned what makes a good log line, I decided, before boiling down my own story, I’d practice on some of my recent reads and old favorites. Stories I don’t have on hand or couldn’t remember well, I looked up on IMDb to get the log lines of their movie versions. These are noted.

I’m the type of person who needs a lot of examples to learn something, so my list is pretty long. Anyway, it was a fun exercise. I hope the following list will be useful to you as a writer, or even as a reader looking for a book you haven’t read.

Three by Ted Dekker: A brilliant but naïve seminary student searches his painful past for the confession demanded by a mysterious killer.

Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman: Under the oppressive heat of Florida in May, a gutsy divorcee teams up with a reticent cop to find her runaway son and her neighbor’s murderer.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier: A young maid with an aesthetic eye is hired to work for the wife of painter Johannes Vermeer but becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.

A Lever Long Enough by Amy Deardon: “A small military team travels back in time to film the theft of Jesus' body from the tomb.” (log line by the author).

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: South American guerrillas invade a party at a government mansion and the prolonged captivity of their notable hostages produces surprising results.

Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler: A restless 40-year-old, feeling unappreciated by her husband and nearly-grown children, wanders off during a family vacation and starts a new life in a small town.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Amid the horrors invading his homeland, a wealthy Afghani boy moves from a close friendship with the son of his father’s servant to betrayal, and then to the hope of redemption in adulthood.

The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan: A Chinese-American has a manuscript of her mother’s translated, and as the elderly woman slips into dementia, the daughter learns the truth about her mother’s past in China.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: “A young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.” (IMDb)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd: A young girl's search for the truth about her dead mother leads her to three beekeeping sisters, the mesmerizing world of bees, and a mysterious Black Madonna.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: “In 1930’s Georgia, a young girl learns about racism when her lawyer father defends a black man falsely accused of rape.” (?)

The Assistant by Bernard Malamud: An Italian-American drifter is forced to re-examine his moral and spiritual beliefs when he falls in love with the daughter of his employer, the Jewish storekeeper he secretly robbed.

My Antonia by Willa Cather: The tale of a spirited, young Bohemian immigrant striving to make good in the untamed land of late 19^th century Nebraska, as told through the eyes of her childhood friend.

The Life of Pi by Yann Martel: The spiritually-minded son of an Indian zookeeper struggles to survive and find land after he ends up in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.

The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers: A stubborn adolescent, longing at once for escape and belonging, dreams of joining her older brother and his bride-to-be in their new life together.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon: An autistic teen accused of killing his neighbor’s dog goes on an odyssey to track down the killer.

The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx: An emotionally-beaten man moves with his young daughters to his ancestral Newfoundland home to reclaim his life. (IMDb)

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: From the vantage point of heaven, a young girl observes her family, friends, community and killer in the aftermath of her murder.

Feel free to share the log line of your story, make up one for a favorite book, or try a humorous version like Richard Polito’s log line for The Wizard of Oz:

"Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again."

Sunny Soup for a Cloudy Day

2009-01-13T16:03:00.011+02:00

"'What's up doc?'" The Greek produce vendor at the open market grinned as he held up a huge carrot. As if I needed an explanation, he added, "Bugs Bunny." He insisted his carrots were very sweet, and he cleaned one for me to taste, even though I was already filling a bag. Anyway, I admired his enthusiasm. His carrots were sweet, very crisp-tender and cheap. They were large too, not a lot of peeling needed , so they fit into my dinner plan perfectly. I always like to brighten up a cold, dreary day with a bright soup. Today I made Carrot Soup with Ginger. In the photo you see it served in one of the antique bowls my friend gave me for my birthday a few years ago. Oddly enough, on that same birthday, my sister sent me The Cook's Encyclopedia of Soup, a gorgeous book full of colorful soup photographs. Very inspiring. You could say it's the gift that keeps on giving. The following recipe comes from that book.

Carrot Soup with Ginger (serves 6)

2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium potato, chopped
5 1/2 cups chopped carrots
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
5 cups chicken stock
7 Tablespoons whipping cream
a good pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Melt the butter or margarine. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.

2. Stir in the potato, carrots, ginger, and stock. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes.

3. Pour the soup into a food processor or blender and process until it is smooth. Alternatively, use a vegetable mill to puree the soup. Return the soup to the pan. Stir in the cream, salt and pepper to taste, and nutmeg (or sprinkle on top before serving). Reheat slowly to serve.

Those Born 1920-1979

2009-01-09T18:41:00.014+02:00

One of these days I'll get around to writing something of my own. In the meantime, here's an email message I received that made me smile, thinking of "the good old days" . . .

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bag. Sometimes we would ride on our mothers laps or on the rear dashboard.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,

W E WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have PlayStations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

God vs. No God

2009-01-07T11:07:00.008+02:00

I got the following conversation entitled God vs. Science in an email today. I'm not sure where it originated, but I've entitled my post differently because, as well as being spiritual and historical, the Bible is a book of science. Anyway, see what you think. . .

. . . 'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.

'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters. 'From God'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Again, the student has no answer. 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him.'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

At the back of the room another student stands quietly for a moment before asking a question of His own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go cold er than the lowest -458 degrees.'

'Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word.'

'In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.'

'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'

'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'

The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter.

'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.'

'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.

***

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20

Certainty in an Uncertain Future

2009-01-02T10:37:00.035+02:00

"We trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel," Jesus' two disciples sadly told a stranger after visiting the Lord's tomb. Little did they know the stranger was Christ Himself.

Using scripture, Jesus showed the two disciples what they considered a disappointment actually marked the beginning of greater blessings for them. The words of the Lord warmed the men's hearts and they urged Him to stay with them. And He did. You can read the account in Luke 24. Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples and He gave them peace and joy. He didn't promise a trouble-free life on earth; only heaven is described as such a place. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

I am surrounded by people I love, who've already been threatened with great loss in the new year. A young man faces the possibility of losing his job, a family could lose their home, and a childless woman fears losing her beloved husband to cancer.

Life is uncertain. But one thing is sure: Jesus Christ remains faithful. His promises stand, and if we trust in Him, He will supply our every need. No matter how difficult life gets, His word continues to minister to hearts, imparting the wisdom, the strength, and the grace we need to triumph. Jesus Christ is our Blessed Hope. As His disciples discovered, only through Jesus can we find peace and joy. Abiding in Him gives us access to ever greater blessings. I don't know what the future holds, but I look forward to my days ahead in Jesus Christ.

TODAY by Grace E. Easley

Dear Lord, I need Your help today.
I walk along a rocky way
and this would be a barren land
Without Your love, Your helping hand
Whatever yesterday has cost
It is TODAY that matters most
The truth remaining in it all
Is that we stand with Thee, or fall.

I need the strength that You can give
Each single moment that I live.
stay by my side for I can see
that I am nothing without Thee
Though yesterday is gone and I
May never see tomorrow
And at its longest, life is short
and holds its share of sorrow
What blessed joy each time I find
That every new TODAY...is mine.

Dear Reader, HERE'S WISHING YOU A TRULY JOYOUS NEW YEAR.

May you realize every aspect of the good Lord's love for you every second of 2009 and beyond!

Path on Mt. Hymettus, photo by L. Trecroce

Banished Words

2008-12-31T10:04:00.019+02:00

Since this is the time people reflect back on the past year and give you lots of lists, here's an interesting one I found on the Lake Superior State University Web site:

Lake Superior State University 2009 List of Banished Words

The following are words or phrases banished from the Queen's English for mis-use, over-use and general uselessness.

GREEN – The ubiquitous 'Green' and all of its variables, such as 'going green,' 'building green,' 'greening,' 'greentechnology,' 'green solutions' and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year.

CARBON FOOTPRINT or CARBON OFFSETTING – "It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to 'offset' their own 'carbon footprint.' What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!" Ginger Hunt, London, England.

Christy Loop of Woodbridge, Va., says that 'leaving a carbon footprint' has become the new 'politically incorrect.' "How can we not, in one way or another, affect our natural environment?"

MAVERICK – "The constant repetition of this word for months before the US election diluted whatever meaning it previously had. Even the comic offshoot 'mavericky' was terribly overused. A minimum five-year banishment of both words is suggested so they will not be available during the next federal election." Matthew Mattila, Green Bay, Wisc

FIRST DUDE – "Skateboard English is not an appropriate way to refer to the spouse of a high-ranking public official." Paul Ruschmann, Canton, Mich.

BAILOUT – "Is it a loan? Is it a purchase of assets by the government? Is it a gift made by the taxpayers?" Dave Gill, Traverse City, Mich.

"Now it seems as though every sector of the economy wants a bailout. Unfortunately, ordinary workers can't qualify." Tony, McLeansville, NC.

"Don't we love how Capitol Hill will bailout Wall Street, but not Main Street"? Derrick Chamberlain, Midland, Mich.

WALL STREET/MAIN STREET – "When this little dyad first came into use at the start of the financial crisis, I thought it was a clever use of parallelism. But it's simply over-used. No 'serious' discussion of the crisis can take place without some political figure lamenting the fact that the trouble on Wall Street is affecting 'folks' on Main Street." Charles Harrison, Aiken, SC.

MONKEY – "Especially on the Internet, many people seem to think they can make any boring name sound more attractive just by adding the word 'monkey' to it. Do a search to find the latest. It is no longer funny." Rogier Landman, Somerville, Mass.

<3 – Supposed to resemble a heart, or stand for the word 'love.' Used when sending those important text messages to loved ones. "Just say the word instead of making me turn my head sideways and wondering what 'less than three' means." Andrea Estrada, Chicago.

ICON or ICONIC – Overused, especially among entertainers and in entertainment news, according to Robyn Yates of Dallas, who says that "every actor, actress and entertainment magazine show overuses this." One of the most-nominated words of the year. "Everyone and everything cannot be 'iconic.'

GAME CHANGER – "It's game OVER for this cliché, which gets overused in the news media, political arenas and in business." Cynthia, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

STAYCATION – "Occurrences of this word are going up with gas prices.'Vacation' does not mean 'travel,' nor does travel always involve vacation. Let's send this word on a slow boat to nowhere." Dan Muldoon, Omaha, Neb.

DESPERATE SEARCH – "Every time the news can't find something intelligent to report, they start on a 'desperate search' for someone, somewhere." Rick A. Hyatt, Saratoga, Wyo.

NOT SO MUCH – "Casual language usage is acceptable. 'Not so much?' Not so much." David Hollis, Hubbardsville, NY.

"A favorite of snarky critics and bloggers." Jeff Baenen, Minneapolis, Minn.

WINNER OF FIVE NOMINATIONS – "It hasn't won an Academy Award yet. It has only been NOMINATED!" John Bohenek, Abilene, Tex.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN – Nominated by Kathleen Brosemer of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., for "general overuse and meaninglessness. When is it not 'that time of year again?' From Valentine's sales to year-end charity letters, invitations to summer picnics and Christmas parties, it's 'that time' of year again. Just get to the point of the solicitation, invitation, and newsletter and cut out six useless and annoying words."

Over-use of the word SWIVEL by contemporary fiction writers makes my skin crawl. Do they think the first person to replace the nice, unobtrusive turned with swiveled hit upon a good thing? The only people I see swiveling are doctors in their roller chairs and kids who play with those lunch counter stools. Another phrase that should be banished is the presumptuous-sounding, THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. When someone writes this, it makes me want to write back, Forget it. I changed my mind.

Got a particular word or phrase that drives you crazy?

Stranger in Paradise

2008-12-29T12:35:00.023+02:00

My throat hurts and my clothes stink. I just spent another two hours trying to renew my residence permit at the town hall where, as in most places in Greece, employees still smoke with careless abandon. I think I could tolerate a little bronchitis, if I weren't forced to cough up the $350.00 fine the Greek government is tricking us foreigners into paying. If you've read my Smile and Don't Say Cheese post you'll know what I'm talking about.

Greece may be in the European Union, but it often functions like a third world country. The government does not have a system of checks and balances. Thus, laws seem to be created at the whim of law-makers. As in ancient times when mountains isolated the nation's citizens into seperate city states, Greeks tend to be more individualistic than nationalistic. With regards to laws, my Greek husband often says, "You can't tell a Greek what to do. He'll just do the opposite." Pair this with the lack of a work ethic, and you get chaos and the never-ending strikes. Yesterday, strikers attacked shoppers in protest against stores being opened another Sunday in addition to the pre-Christmas one!

Nepotism and greasing palms are other third world practices that prevail here. In fact, Peter pulled out the influence card today, in hopes of saving us from paying the hefty fine. Peter taught English to our councilman's kids. The councilman was really nice, but in the end, he couldn't help us. The adeia law came from a much higher office.

Back to the clerk with the evil smile. She basically told me, "Okay, so we stuck your last permit onto a page of your nearly-expired passport and told you to carry it around with your new passport. But you should have known when we changed our minds. You should have known to come back in with the new passport so we could make everything one."

"How was I supposed to know this?" What did the government do to inform foreigners about the change of rules?

She pointed to a wall in the office, plastered with a hundred notices. Keep in mind this wall is in a building I would never enter, unless . . . Exactly . . . I needed to renew my permit.

Many aggravating hours later, I'm aware of one thing: I'm thankful God, who can't lie, has made the way to heaven wonderfully free and simple.

Consider how easily a repentant thief gains everlasting residence in heaven:

(Luke 23:39-43)
And one of the malefactors (thieves) which were hanged railed on him (Jesus), saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

photo by L. Trecroce

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

2008-12-23T17:29:00.023+02:00

Check out the incredible view from my balcony this evening. The awesome majesty of the clouds prompted me to ask, "Are you coming back tonight, Lord?" The visual is perfect for what I had planned to post. Thank you, Lord!

As we celebrate Jesus' first coming to the earth, I thought it would be timely to give a glimpse of what His second coming will be like. The Bible says:

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." -1Thessalonians 4:16-18

An unknown Christian, inspired by additional verses of scripture (mostly from the book of Revelation), took 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and wrote a thoughtful parody that speaks of Christ's second coming:

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME
(author unknown)

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

***

HAVE A JOYOUS JESUS-FILLED CHRISTMAS!

Photo by L. Trecroce

Smile and Don't Say Cheese

2008-12-22T16:14:00.036+02:00

Dorian & Alex mugging before the Web cam (2000).

Ah, the wonders of Greek bureaucracy! Today, bucking heavy traffic, chilling rain and wind, Peter and I set out on foot to renew my residence permit. An American friend of ours recently renewed his, and he made the process sound simple. "You just need two or three photos and your spouse's ID," he said, showing off his new adeia. I admired the small, laminated card. The previous permit had been a sticker that was slapped on one of the pages of our passports. Not a very practical system, since the expiration dates of the two rarely coincided. My passport expired way before my residence permit, and on the advice of the permit clerk in 2004, I'd been forced to carry around two passports. (More on this, later).

I hit the photo place first and got my picture taken. The ID photos came four in a strip. Plenty, I naively thought. We walked over to the town hall, umbrella blown inside-out, and then up the stairs, dripping, to the permits department. I placed my passports and photos on the counter, and when Peter told the middle-aged clerk what we were there for, she grinned. It was an evil grin. She continued to smile as she explained all of the OTHER things I needed to bring, before she could renew my permit. Never mind that I'm married to a Greek, I've been living here for twenty-six years and I've given the nation two productive Greek males. She asked us for photocopies of everything, even our health insurance booklet. She asked for my ID photos. Not two, not three, not four. Five! Uh huh. You know what that meant. Back to the photo place. Oh wait! The best is yet to come-- To top it all off, she contradicted the advice I was given in 2004 and said I'll have to pay a fine because I didn't return to the office when I got my new passport!

I looked around for hidden cameras, thinking I was the object of some comedy show prank. No, seriously, you need a sense of humor to live here.

Anyway, the permit saga continues.

Back to those dreaded headshots. I hate them! My passport pic gives credence to the saying: "If you look like your passport photo, you're too sick to travel". I figured there must be a secret to taking decent pictures, so before I left this morning, I searched the Web for tips. In time for the holidays, here's what I found:

How to be Photogenic (see wikiHow for details)

Steps

Wear clothes with colors that suit you.
Hide your blemishes. If you’ve got a unsightly look on one side of your face, for example, don’t show the camera that side.
Determine your best angle. The classic model’s pose is to arrange your body 3⁄4 toward the camera with one foot in front of the other and one shoulder closer to the camera than the other. This isn’t the best pose for everybody, however, and it can look a little ridiculous when used in a family photo right next to Uncle Ed.
Get rid of a double chin. Tilt your head down slightly and try to position yourself so that the camera is a little above your eye level. This will hide a double chin fairly effectively. You can also put one hand under your chin as though you’re resting your head on your hand (keep the thumb side of your hand out of the camera’s view, if possible). Don’t actually rest any weight on the hand, however, or you will push the skin into an unflattering position. Also try resting your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Stick your neck out. One trick models often use is to present a 3⁄4 pose to the camera (turn your head so that 3⁄4 of it is exposed to the camera, as opposed to a full frontal shot) and then lift your neck and slightly tilt your head down, as though you are a turkey sticking its head out (without actually thrusting your chin out). This improves facial definition and helps ameliorate wrinkles and flabby skin.
Relax. Many people end up looking odd in photos because they freeze into odd facial expressions with a “say cheese” type of smile on their face.
Think happy thoughts.
Smile with your eyes.
Listen to your mother. Remember how mom always told you not to slouch? Good posture can dramatically improve your appearance in pictures.
Get a better photographer. Professional photographers generally know how to bring out the beauty in people.
Edit or enhance photos. If you’ve tried everything, but you still can’t seem to get a good picture of yourself, try slightly altering your digital photos. Changing the lighting effects or filter effects, for example, can dramatically improve the appearance of your complexion.

Deflating Santa

2008-12-18T22:17:00.023+02:00

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus

By Rev. James Spellman of Ohio

*Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere.

*Santa rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

*Santa comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help.

*Santa fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs.

*You have to wait in line to see Santa... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

*Santa lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

*Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"... JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

*Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love.

*All Santa can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope.

*Santa says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

*Santa's little helpers make toys... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

*Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you a joy that is your strength.

*While Santa puts gifts under your tree... JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

***

Of course, there's no comparison, because Santa Claus is a fantasy and Jesus Christ is real.

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16

Knowing this, doesn't Jesus Christ deserve all of our adoration?

Bring Us a Figgy Pudding

2008-12-16T19:59:00.005+02:00

Gingerbread Boys and Girls Awaiting Transport (Dec. 08)

Figgy Pudding sounded pretty disgusting, until I looked at a few recipes for it. Now, I think I might actually like the moist and spicy fruitcake. In honor of that weird stanza from the song, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, this post is dedicated to those special, once-a-year treats that make Christmas memorable.

What's your family's holiday favorite? Our's is Gingerbread men. I've been making those cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember. Although my sons live in different parts of the world now, they still ask for them. It's funny to see one of my gingerbread men pop up on MSN from China!

GINGERBREAD BOYS AND GIRLS (from a 1980 issue of McCall's magazine)

Cookie Dough

3 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsps. ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup butter or reg. margarine, softened
3/4 cup light-brown sugar, packed
1 egg
3/4 cup light molasses

Frosting

1/3 cup egg whites (2)
3 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1. Day before, make cookie dough: Mix together unsifted flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cloves.

2. In large bowl of electric mixer, at high speed, beat butter, brown sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Add molasses; beat until well blended. With wood spoon, stir in flour mixture; mix with hands until dough is well blended and smooth. (I find dough too sticky to mix w/hands. Spoon is usually good enough.)

3. Divide the dough into four parts. Wrap each part separately in waxed paper and refrigerate overnight.

4. Next day, lightly grease several cookie sheets. Preheat oven to 375F. Roll one part of cookie dough at a time; keep rest refrigerated until ready to roll out. Roll out on floured board until 1/8 inch thick.

5. Use a 4-inch gingerbread-doll cutter to cut out cookies. (Really, any cutter will do). Place cookies 1 inch apart (to allow for spreading), on cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack to cool.

6. Meanwhile, make frosting: In medium bowl, with portable electric mixer at medium speed, beat egg whites with confectioners' sugar to make a smooth, stiff frosting. Cover with damp cloth until ready to use, to prevent drying out.

7. To decorate: Fill a pastry bag with frosting and pipe onto cooled cookie. Let frosting dry thoroughly on cookies before storing them.

Win Chocolate!

2008-12-15T16:28:00.018+02:00

My novelist friend Amy, who, BTW, gives great insight into story structure on her blog, just tagged me. I have to list 7 random facts about myself, and then I think I'm supposed to tag some other bloggers. Since everyone on my brief blog roll has already been tagged, I'll do something different. To make this worth your while, I'm turning the facts-about-me thing into a contest. Ugh, sounds egocentric, I know. Trust me, I'm not that interesting. But I want you to win this yummy Greek chocolate. So here's the deal:

Answer the questions below, and the first one to comment with all the right answers wins. (You'll find the answers somewhere on this blog.)

1. Who is the great love of my life?
2. What is unique about one of my siblings?
3. I once took lessons to play what corny musical instrument?
4. In which country were my grandparents born?
5. Which of the four seasons is my favorite?
6. Name one of my quirks.
7. What is my favorite Christmas carol of all time?

Happy hunting!

Immediate family exempt from winnings.

Red Chairs Diary

2008-12-10T17:45:00.021+02:00

Dumpster Delight

This is one of a set of chairs I recently rescued from the great (free) outdoors. Since the wood color matched my kitchen table, and I badly needed new chairs, I gave these four-legged beauties a home. I changed the original ugly taupe fabric on the seats to a more practical wipe-able vinyl. I didn't have much of a choice in solid colors. But I liked the red. It matched some things in my kitchen, and it reminded me of the red vinyl seats on chairs my grandmother owned. After covering the seats, I realized I was continuing a pattern in my life.

Dining Room with Dog

Here are my dining room chairs with our dog wondering why in the world I'm not photographing her. She's such a ham! As you can see by the rumpled cushions, this set has been around for years. The cushions look pink in the photo, but they're actually burgundy red.

Taverna Chairs with Cat

This was one of my more popular T-shirt designs, back in the days when I designed and silkscreened T-shirts for the tourist industry here. Why I made them red, I'll never know. Most taverna chairs you see here are blue. Guess I just liked red. :)

Pointsettia Phase Two

Okay, not a chair. But it's red and I thought I'd throw it in for Christmas. I'm very proud of this plant. My mother-in-law gave it to me last Christmas. Unbelievably, it survived a whole year to give me a second set of red flowers/leaves (whatever they are) in time for this Christmas. The plant was much fuller. Unfortunately, a strong wind knocked over my folding clothes line, which lopped off the front branches.

Red is not such a great color on me, and I'm pretty picky about the shade, but it seems to be my default color. Out of all the primary hues, it is the one color that makes me feel complete.

A wonderful post about red is Brandon Cox's, The Scarlet Thread.

What's your favorite color, and why?

Greece's Unholy Martyr

2008-12-09T10:24:00.022+02:00

A fifteen-year-old protestor was fatally shot, here in Greece, when he attempted to fling a fuel-filled bomb at police. The two officers responsible for the shooting were promptly arrested. Nevertheless, the boy's death has sparked three days (so far) of nation-wide violence. The extreme and senseless reaction of protestors to the boy's death is nothing short of absurd.

A friend of mine gives insight into life in Greece and puts the recent incident into perspective when he writes:

"A few last words on the current riots and demonstrations in Greece.There was a large Christmas tree in Syntagma square and a ceremony scheduled to light the tree on Sunday...but the anarchists burned the tree!!! leaving a lot of sad, crying and disappointed children!! Prime Minister said the government (?) will pay for all the damages the criminals have caused? Where will you get the money Sir? What's that? You may have to raise taxes? Oh, I see! The minister of Education added fuel to the fire and replacements to the street gangsters by closing the schools so that ALL the students could go out and do their little part! Wise decision Sir! Last night ALL the TV stations were casting stones at the police! Not one positive statement in their favor! Imagine, the death of one 15-year-old boy has caused a tremendous upheaval in Greece! If people are so opposed to "killing" I ask them this question: According to a special medical report we watched, every year in Greece 350,000 mothers with the help of 350,000 doctors kill (murder/slaughter) their unborn babies! Not one word of protest is made by the State (Christian) Church; any part of the government, and sadly not even by the 10,000,000 citizens! If you are against killing, lets address ALL killing including the destruction of these poor unborn children........People laugh at me and call me some sort of weirdo....but all these people will one day stand before The Creator of the Universe and answer to HIM ! Good luck !"
--George Maravia

How sad it is that those involved in the rioting have chosen to follow an unholy martyr to their destruction! Jesus Christ, whose righteous blood was shed to cleanse our sins and give us everlasting life, is the martyr all men need follow.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

AFP PHOTO/ Sakis Mitrolidis

Character

2008-12-05T09:33:00.007+02:00

After having kind of a rough day, yesterday, I thought I'd remind myself what these trials are for. Here are 10 of my favorite quotes concerning character:

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller

"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving." Dale Carnegie

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught." J. C. Watts

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Character, not circumstance, makes the person." Booker T. Washington

"No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." Anne Frank

"Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny." Charles Reade

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

photo by Dorothea Fox

Christmas Cheer

2008-12-03T09:41:00.032+02:00

Christmas cheer. What causes the giddy abnormality that makes people smile, lightens steps, softens hearts, and for the month of December sets the world aglow?

A large Christmas store down the street from us burned down the other night. Investigators blame faulty lights for starting the blaze. That incident coupled with my foray into the shopping crowd, yesterday, got me pondering the question. What underlies this Christmas cheer? What would happen if all the holiday trimmings were to disappear? Would people still be as enthusiastic about celebrating Christmas?

I pictured Christmas stripped of its sparkly lights, and I found the cheer still there. Next went the ornamented trees, the gifts, and the holiday food. People who've endured spare Christmases speak of the those times as being the most meaningful. The cheer remained intact. Gathering with family and friends? People get together other times of the year, so this couldn't be it, either.

Only when I meditated on the first Christmas, did I realize our Christmas cheer originated over two thousand years ago with the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ to this earth.

A group of humble shepherds were the first people to exhibit Christmas cheer, after the angel told them:

". . . Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."-Luke 2:10,11

The Bible says the shepherds "made haste" to go and see the Christ child. And when they had seen Him, "they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child".

The promise of unparalleled hope and joy in Jesus Christ reaches over thousands of years to affect us today. As evidenced by our wicked, fallen world, we still need a Divine Saviour. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. As both man and God, He is the only Person who can save us from our sin nature and reconcile us to God. Do you know Him?

To learn more about Jesus Christ and what He did for you personally, click here: God's Gift for Me

News photo from Kathimerini. Christmas in Athens (Syntagma Square)

My NaNoWriMo Experience

2008-11-30T23:53:00.041+02:00

Whew! It's over. I can finally tackle that basket of ironing that's been piling up for a month. Some reward, huh?

Well, as you can see, I fell short of the 50K word goal. But never mind. What I did accomplish is a great achievement for pokey, picky, undisciplined me. I'm very happy with my word count. I got a huge chunk of my second novel written and I've learned some valuable lessons.

Here's a 3-part evaluation of my NaNo experience:

THE SHOCK

It's hard! As one of our NaNo pep-talkers put it, writing the first draft of a novel is like cutting granite out of a quarry. I'll go further to say you'll blast slabs out of that rocky wall, but then there will be days when it seems no matter what you do the quarry yields only chips. You have to keep at it. If you do nothing, you get nothing.

THE THRILL

When you really push yourself to accomplish more than you think you're capable of, amazing things happen. Pressed to make my daily word goals, I'd write and write and write until I found myself, like Alice down the rabbit hole, falling deep into my story world. My characters would come to life and begin to act on their own. At times, they'd do and say such incredible things, I'd start to cry or laugh out loud (I'm sure Peter thought I'd gone bonkers.)

This is what author Jonathan Stroud, another of our cheerleaders, said: "Getting that first draft out is a horribly hard grind, but that (perversely) is where the joy of it lies. There is nothing better for me, nothing more uniquely satisfying in the whole process of making a book, the sensation at the end of each day--good or bad, productive or unproductive--when I look over and see a little fragile stack of written pages that weren't there that morning. . . It's where the magic lies. . . We're conjuring something out of nothing."

Conjuring a complete story out of thin air may feel like magic, but actually it's just one way of utilizing the creativity our Creator instilled in each of us. Afterall, He created us in His image, and by His word, He spoke the world into existence! I consider it a profound blessing to be able to use what God has given me to glorify Him.

THE VALUE

Through my participation in NaNoWriMo, I learned two crucial lessons that can be applied to all aspects of life, as well as to writing.

1. Set specific daily goals. (For writing, the mark is word count.)

2. Record your progress. (See my bar above?) This record is important because it holds you accountable to your goal, and it encourages you forward.

To everyone who cheered me on--Thank You! It helped a lot. Special thanks to Chris Baty, the man responsible for this month of literary craziness, and also special thanks to my husband, who patiently endured my hogging our computer.

Would I compete in this challenge again? You bet! I think I may even hit that 50K mark next time.

Easy as Pie

2008-11-25T09:12:00.018+02:00

my pumpkin pies from last year

Easy as pie? I used to wonder about that expression. My experience with pie-making was anything but easy. That's because I'd fluctuate between two frustrating recipes. One produced dough that was a nightmare to roll out, but yielded a flaky crust. The other gave me a nice, pliable dough with a chewy crust.

A dear brother from West Virginia solved my dough dilemma last year when he shared the following recipe. It's both easy and delectable. Not bad for your health, either. Try it for your Thanksgiving pies.

NO ROLL PIE CRUST

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsps. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 TBSPS. cold milk

Sift dry ingredients into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate. Combine milk and oil. Add to dry ingredients and stir well. Then, press evenly in the pie plate by hand to form the pie crust. Pierce w/fork. Pre-bake in moderate oven for about 10 minutes, if you're using a wet filling.

(For a tastier, more nutritious crust, I've substituted half of the white flour for whole wheat flour. This is especially good in savory pies, like quiche. )

PUMPKIN PIE

1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp gr. cloves
1/4 tsp. gr. nutmeg
2 cups pumpkin (canned or blended fresh)
1/4 cup honey
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs

In bowl combine sugar, salt and spices. Stir in pumpkin and honey. In saucepan heat milk, add with eggs to pumpkin mixture. Blend thoroughly. Pour into the "No Roll Pie Crust". Bake in preheated oven at 400 deg F (200 deg C) for 1o minutes, then reduce heat to 350F (180C) and bake for 35 minutes or so. Do not overbake. Pie will look moist when done. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 107:1

Ben Stein on Christmas

2008-11-24T15:11:00.016+02:00

Since Christmas is approaching, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post the following commentary by writer-actor, Ben Stein. (It's a few years old, so forgive me if you've already read it.)

"Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is, either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. Is this what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to."

6 days, 7 hours, 34 minutes till the end of NaNo. Gotta go!

(For more on Ben Stein, check this YouTube clip: Expelled)

Writer's Cramp

2008-11-06T19:56:00.011+02:00

You may be wondering why the shortage of words this month, thinking, did she go on strike, like other Greeks? Let me assure you that's not the case. I'm temporarily concentrating all my writing on an event called NaNoWriMo. (Click on the icon under my profile for a more detailed description). NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and the idea is to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. Yep, 50,000 words in 30 days!

I'll be back in December to let you know how it went. In the meantime, enjoy the ditty my husband wrote in honor of the occasion:

KEYBOARD KUDOS

Clickety-click, clickety-click
Clickety-click she goes
Typing away, writing away
Everything that she knows.

Wakes up before dawn
Throws her old bathrobe on
Sits down in her chair
Words dangling in mid-air

Time is essential
Words have potential
The theme is sublime
Already page fifty-nine.

Write down that thought
Nothing is for nought
Include something wise
You may win the Nobel Prize.

by Peter A. Tsirozidis

Fragrant Memories

2008-10-15T16:17:00.033+03:00

The aromas of percolating coffee and toasting bread awaken me. I know what those scents mean. My dad hasn’t left for work yet. Great! I'll see him off. I run into the kitchen. “Hey.” He smiles. . .

Decades later, Dad is gone. But whenever I smell fresh coffee and toast, he appears before me. He stands in the old kitchen, folding his bread and dunking it into his cup.

Not only does our sense of smell give us the pleasure of tasting what we eat, but, more than any other sense, smell vividly brings back our earliest memories. For more on this subject, read Natalie Angier’s article: The Nose, an Emotional Time Machine.

Here are some of the smells that pave the lane of my memory:

Pablum. Baby brothers and sister.

Waxy milk cartons. Kindergarten--milk & cookies.

Beefaroni. School lunches

Wheat paste. Robin Connelly. Making Russian dolls out of paper mache with my grade school friend. We run out of flour and experiment with milk powder. (Doesn't work).

Diesel fuel exhaust. My Nonna’s (grandmother’s) house in Philly. City buses pass as we sit on her stoop, chatting till late with the neighbors. Then, in bed, I lie awake and watch the light from passing buses slide across her walls.

Lemony Jean Nate toilet water. Again, Nonna.

Beer, root beer, raw clams. Trecroce family reunions.

Cinnamony apple crisps. My mom and the first summer in our new house. Visions of busted walls and plaster, us peeling mountains of apples, making apple crisps in the midst of the kitchen being remodeled.

Lemon Pledge and Pinesol. Mom, again, and a fresh, clean house.

Cider. Dad pressing apples (we had apple trees) and some bees.

Marshy, salty sea air. Wildwood, N.J. Family vacations. I hear seagulls whining, waves tumbling.

Noxema. Red lobster sunburn, day 2 of every vacation. Cheap rooms. Noxema on the bedsheets.

Garlic, lots of it fried in lots of oil. Accordion lessons in the home of my instructor's Italian mama.

Stale ice cream freezer air. My first job, scooping ice cream and making cakes at Baskin Robbins.

Oil paint, linseed oil, turpentine. My twin sister. It's after midnight, and we're still down the basement painting, listening to mellow tunes on the radio.

Ouzo. Also, that stale clothes smell that results from stuffing too many articles into the washer. Peter (dating).

Dried mountain herbs, wild oregano. Greece.

Simmering tomatoes. Alex.

Grilling meat. Dorian

Ginger. Selma

STR8 & Voltaren. Peter (married). His cologne and the stinky muscle cream he uses before soccer.

Did you know you give off a smell to God? A person that has accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior gives off a sweet smell.

"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved. . . " 1Corinthians 2:15

What are some of your most fragrant memories?

art by L. Trecroce

Color

2008-10-10T08:51:00.022+03:00

Gold, saffron, vermilion, carmine, plum. Green trees are turning these gorgeous colors in my favorite season of the year. In honor of hue-shifting autumn, test your color expertise at the following link:

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

Let me know how you did. :)

". . . God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" I Timothy 6:17

Begotten, Not Evolved

2008-10-05T16:19:00.034+03:00

Have you ever wondered about your ancestors, where they came from, what they were like? I recently had the opportunity to investigate my paternal roots, when a good friend of mine made a trip to Sicily. Sicily, as far as I knew, was the place from where my father's parents emigrated. My friend is very interested in genealogies, so before she left, we searched online for as much information as we could find about my Trecroce grandfather. Precious little turned up, but it was enough to get the ball rolling.

I knew nothing about my grandpop Girolamo Trecroce. He died before my parents met. But I discovered a Salvino Trecroce, age 71, arrived on Ellis Island in 1921. This turned out to be my great grandfather, Savino. You can see the ship he sailed on, the Taormina, in the above photo.

Great Grandpop Savino's passenger record showed, in Italy, he had resided in a place called Sciacca. With the help of a missionary in Sicily, my friend made a special trip to the seaside town of Sciacca. There at the town hall, two very patient clerks discovered five Trecroce birth certificates. The certificates belonged to my grandfather Girolamo and his four siblings. Along with that discovery, I learned the name of my great grandmother was Rosa Maltese.

Eleven years ago, my husband and I toured southern Italy, and in the ancient town of Venafro, I obtained the birth certificates of my maternal grandparents. Bit by bit, the story of my ancestry is coming together.

I think it's valuable to know where we come from. Our ancestry shouldn't limit us. Rather, it should give us a deeper understanding and an appreciation of who we are. People scoff at the long genealogies in the Bible. They can be tedious to read. But the fact is the Holy Spirit of God would not have recorded the lists of names, if lineage wasn't important.

The most exciting genealogy ever is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Chapter three lists the genealogy of Jesus Christ. It traces our Saviour's lineage from "being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph" all the way back through Adam to God. What's even more exciting is that each of us has the opportunity, through faith in Jesus Christ, to become part of His family.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

The mystery surrounding the origin of "Trecroce" ("three crosses") continues. Next stop: Calabria. Okay, I may not know yet exactly where I come from, but, praise God, I know where I'm at, and I know where I'm going.

Achievement or Acheatment?

2008-08-25T09:15:00.047+03:00

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing came to a close, yesterday. And I must admit, I've never responded to any event with less enthusiasm than I have to those games. I only caught glimpses of a few competitions in passing--when Peter had the TV on and I had to pass through the living room to get somewhere else.

What caused my apathy? Disgust over the deception that has tainted recent games. This 29th Olympiad, we were deceived from beginning to end--from an opening ceremony performer (a "cute" child, who lip-synced the voice of a "not so cute" singer) to drug-enhanced athletes. It has gotten to the point where we don't know what's real and what's not, anymore. I don't like being put in the position where I have to suspect. Has the medallist won because he truly is the fastest, or because he used a performance enhancer that escaped detection?

But I haven't lost all hope. Real athletes, those who compete for the pure joy of the sport, still exist. Take for example, tiny Somalian runner, Samia Yusuf Omar. Read her wonderful story: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/track_field/news?slug=cr-somalirunners082408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) She finished last in her race, yet she's so much more an inspiration to others than the competitors who've won oodles of gold medals. People who triumph over the impossible obstacles set against them, to me, those are the real winners.

***

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!--from Psalm 139

photo from bbc news.

Delectable Nightshade

2008-08-18T13:15:00.055+03:00

Bad apple, mad apple, eggfruit, eggplant, guinea squash, aubergine. These are some of the names given to the odd-looking fruit. Why "bad" and "mad"? Eggplants, it turns out, belong to the nightshade family of plants that includes the poisonous Jimson weed and Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade). Tomatoes, potatoes and peppers are members of this family too. During its immature growth stage, the eggplant contains toxins that can cause illness.

Wild eggplant is native to India. But in the 5th or 6th century BC, the Chinese cultivated the plant in their gardens, first for its ornamental qualities. Likewise, when the eggplant spread to the western world, it was considered dangerous and not initially grown for food.

I’m not sure how or when the eggplant beat its bum rap and crossed over to the edible side of plant products, but I’m glad it did. As a cook who is limited to preparing non-meat main courses (Peter is a vegetarian), I find the eggplant versatile and satisfying. Check out a few of its culinary uses worldwide.

Eggplant Parmigiana. A tomato sauce & cheese-topped Italian favorite. (My mom's is the best).

Ratatouille. The French vegetable stew featured in an animated film. (Mice not included). Also try the Greek Briam.

Moussaka. A heavy Greek dish of minced meat and fried eggplant slices topped with bechamel sauce.

Imam Bayildi. The spicy, oil-drenched Turkish dish that, folklore has it, caused an Imam to swoon.

Besides baking and stuffing eggplant, you can simply grill slices of it, or stir-fry it the Chinese way. You can also use eggplant in an Indian curry, or batter-dip and deep fry it for Japanese Tempura. The Spanish pickle tiny eggplants (they come in all sizes and colors), and the Italians, Greeks, and Arabs make its flesh into a dip.

Here’s a recipe my Dad created. I use it a lot because I'm all for recipes that yield the greatest amount of satisfaction with the least amount of work. Besides being tasty and easy, this recipe doesn't turn your eggplant into a fat-absorbing sponge. To make it more appealing to kids and picky meat eaters, you can toss a couple handfuls of shredded mozzarella cheese on top near the end of the baking time.

MELANZANA DI FIORE

(amount of ingredients depends on how many servings you want)

Eggplants, washed and cut in quarters lengthwise
Cloves of garlic, cleaned and sliced
Good olive oil
Fresh, sweet, ripe tomatoes, chopped (enough to cover top of eggplant)
Bunch of fresh parsley and basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

(Optional: chopped hot pepper; shredded mozzarella cheese.)

Preheat oven to 350F (180C) degrees. Slit eggplant quarters on either side of ridge. Stuff slits w/garlic. Place eggplants in olive-oiled pan. Season w/salt and pepper. Drizzle w/olive oil. Bake, covered, until eggplant is soft (at least 30 mins.). Remove pan from oven and top eggplant quarters w/the chopped tomato and herbs. Drizzle with a bit more oil. Return pan to oven, bake uncovered till everything is cooked (about 15 mins.) If you desire cheese, sprinkle tomato-topped eggplant w/the mozzerella and return to oven until cheese melts.

Good served with rice or pasta.

What's your favorite eggplant recipe?

photo by L. Trecroce

Bougatsa at the End of the Barren Road

2008-08-13T22:52:00.055+03:00

Due to a massive exodus of holiday-goers, the streets of Athens are deserted. (Like this blog in recent weeks. Sorry!) My intent to grab a loaf of bread from our neighborhood bakery this morning turned into a quest. Masked windows and locked doors shunned me at every step. Clothing shops still bearing the bright banners of the summer sales appeared ghostly. I peeked in at their empty racks and imagined the absent garments gracing sunburned backs. (Admittedly, I felt a little envious of the vacationers, until I recalled the unbearably crowded beaches of past Augusts.)

"Greek businesses should stagger their vacation times," I complained.

Then I thought, "But, isn't life like this August rush?" Our days of excitement aren't spread out; they come and go in clumps.

My kids visited last month. We had a wonderful time together (see posts below). Now, they’re gone. I won’t pretend I didn’t lament over their leaving. I did. After Peter and I dropped them off at the airport, I came home and scoured the apartment of all evidence of them. I didn't want to be tempted to cry over their wrinkled bedsheets, empty hangers and full waste baskets.

But you know what? The lonely days, the difficult days—they’re all good. Each one is a gift from God. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

The Bible says: “Be still, and know that I am God”.

The great thing about walking a barren road is, without the distractions, it’s easier to concentrate on Him.

I eventually did find a bakery open for business today. Just to be on the safe side, I bought three extra loaves to store in my freezer. Best of all, I treated myself to a delicious piece of Greek custard pie. (See bougatsa)

The Sea and Beyond

2008-07-23T09:39:00.048+03:00

"Come. Let me refresh you."
In the midst of my activity
And from many miles away,
She urges me to her.
In the heat, she won't take no for an answer.
She is the brimming blue eye that becomes a living prism.

Sticky with sweat and the soot of the road,
I crave her cleansing arms.
Her peace.
I strip down, no longer mindful of what others may think.
Nothing shall come between us.
It is she and I alone.

Though she is not cold, her embrace shocks me.
So does her purity.
Can something so good be real?
I desire more of her
(And she of me)
And tread deeper into her bosom.
Elle.
Why is she still calling my name?

She wants all of me.
Head too.
I hesitate, afraid to break the surface,
Fearing the plunge into her very heart
Might cause me pain.

But I know it will be worthwhile.
I hold my breath,
Reach out my arms.
She takes over.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" Romans 1:20

***

Photos taken at Porto Katsiki on Island of Lefkada in Greece. 2008. Top photo by Dorian Tsirozidis, poetry and other photos by L. Trecroce.

What Could Go Wrong

2008-07-18T20:34:00.024+03:00

Well, it's over and I'm back. After weeks of planning and preparation, I thank the Lord that Alex and Selma's wedding turned out as nicely as it did. Despite my ineptness, everything ran smoothly on their Big Day. And everyone had a good time. This is important. When you're obsessing over hairdos and shoes (the groom forgot his back in China), you have to remember to enjoy. After all, a wedding is a celebration.

If you've never planned a wedding, let me tell you what it's like. Remember the episode from the old I Love Lucy series where Lucy and Ethel work in a candy factory? They're in the wrapping department and things go well for awhile. They neatly wrap each piece of candy as it comes out on the conveyor. Suddenly, the candy comes out faster. They can't keep up. They get sloppy. They chuck fistfuls into their mouths, down their blouses, under their hats.

Those are the details of a wedding. Just when you think you've got everything under control, they sneak up on you thick and fast. So many things could go wrong. The following are the unrealized fears I had, most of which were inspired by actual cliffhanger moments.

1. My volunteer decorators don't show up. I must decorate the entire church myself. It takes me the full 48 hrs. The wedding guests arrive while I'm still on the ladder (provided I haven't fallen off), draping tulle across the windows.

2. Due to high winds and rough sea, the ferryboats aren't sailing. My piano player is stranded on the island where she's been vacationing.

3. It's the morning of the wedding. I go to pick up the flowers. Posted on the flower shop door is a sign with dates, not times. The owner has decided to take an early holiday.

4. The bride is poisoned by the oleander in the homemade bouquet.

5. Unaccustomed to the very dry climate of Greece, the bride gets laryngitis. The best man is bedridden with fever.

6. The officiating pastor has a berry, berry bad head cold.

7. In transit, the baker drops the wedding cake.

8. We're experiencing a heatwave and the power goes out. No AC in church. The candles bow. People faint.

9. The unity candle topples over and ignites the decorations.

10. We and our 50 wedding guests walk into the restaurant we've reserved for the reception. Nothing is set up and there are no available tables. The usual patrons eat and gaze at us stupidly.

Details and worries. What can you do? Relax. Miraculously enough, even in our eleventh hour, the Lord delivered us skilful helpers. It was a perfect day.

So many things can go wrong--or what we deem wrong-- in our daily lives too. It's wonderful to know God is in control.

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:" Psalm 146:5

Redeeming Poetry

2008-06-03T09:51:00.047+03:00

Any communication resembling poetry in beauty or the evocation of feeling. I like this second definition of poetry from my WordWeb dictionary. It describes the essence of things that stir our souls outside the pages of verse.

Not everyone appreciates poems. But I believe each one of us has experienced poetic moments--those instances when we've reacted to a particular sight or sound with a rapturous intake of breath. Sunsets, snow scenes and the sea provoke this feeling in most people, yet there's so much more. I've been moved by such peculiar sights as abandoned railroad tracks and rusted smokestacks (especially at dusk). I'm a sucker for the solitary. I find the iconoclastic images of man-made things succumbing to the forces of nature hauntingly beautiful. I'm not a lesbian or anything, but I've seen a pretty Bahamian girl flirt with a guy and considered her coy, graceful movements to be poetry. I think about the earthquake victims in China, who'd been buried under rubble then rescued after many days. Unexpected beauty there. Those cries of life from the trapped survivors had to be the most exquisite poetry their rescuers would ever hear.

I got inspired to write this post after I read an article on Yahoo News entitled: From bad to verse: Vandals get classroom penance. The article reported that teens convicted of trashing the former home of poet Robert Frost were required to take a class in his poetry as part of their punishment.

I thought this form of retribution a good idea. I just hope the offenders don't attend the class, perceiving it as torture. I hope they do learn to appreciate Robert Frost and poetry in general. Most of all, I hope they gain a greater respect for both the poetry in the world around them and the One who created it. Only then can poetry truly have redeeming value.

What kind of things awaken the poet in you?

***

The following is a poem of David--the shepherd boy made King:

Psalm 19

1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Photo by Armond Trecroce

Thoughts on the China Quake

2008-05-17T09:32:00.070+03:00

It's impossible to watch the news these days and not get emotional. While relief efforts continued in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, a massive 7.9 earthquake hit central China on Monday. Writing is cathartic. Yet, I cannot sufficiently express what I feel for the people of these two countries. My heart especially breaks over the sight of all the Chinese children being pulled from the rubble of their schools. What's it like to be a mother who can only have one child, to stake all your joy and hope on that child, and then lose him or her? I imagine life for such a mother would seem no longer worth living.

During such catastrophes people usually ask why. Why did God allow this? Why so many innocents taken?

The Bible gives us some insight:

1. Children who die without the knowledge of sin go to heaven.
2. Heaven is a real and perfect place, where our loving Creator resides.
3. Many times, God calls His little ones home to prevent them from a future of misery.
4. God knows the future.
5. Ever since Adam brought sin into the perfect world God created for man, this cursed world has been hurtling toward final destruction. Disease, destruction, and death are man's fault, not God's.
6. God will create a new earth, but first, this one has to go.
7. God manifests Himself through His creation.
8. God's objective in making the "waters roar" and "the mountains shake" is to grab the attention of those who would not otherwise consider Him.
9. Life on earth is a vapor that appears for a short time then vanishes away. "Prepare to meet thy God" today; tomorrow may be too late.
10. Every human soul is precious, designed to live forever with the Creator. Whether we actually spend eternity in heaven with God depends on the choice each of us makes on earth.
11. The choice is this: receive or reject Jesus Christ, God's provision for our sin. Receiving Jesus Christ guarantees eternal life in heaven. Rejecting Him guarantees everlasting torment in hell. (No decision is the same as rejecting Him).
12. Only the things we do for Christ will last.

If we seek Jesus Christ, embrace Him, get to know Him, rejoice in His goodness and share Him with others; if we labor to rescue souls facing the greater, everlasting catastrophe of hell, then our lives, even when emptied of all we hold dear, are worth living.

This morning I came across a Psalm that not only makes sense out of the tragic state of affairs on earth, but offers great comfort to all who come to Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Photo distributed by the official Xinhua news agency

Mother Cat Man

2008-05-10T10:15:00.038+03:00

They call him the Cat Man. He shuffles beneath our apartment building, dispensing food, care and affection to the droves of cats that come seeking refuge. He names them (that's Ears in the photo) and he protects them. He intercedes when human tenants try to chase them away, wisely pointing out the cats keep out rats. And it's true. Since our feline friends have moved in, we've not found any more mice in the toilet bowl (long story) or anywhere else.

Since the Cat Man takes such loving care of his cats, you could say he is both mother and father to them. I thought about him when I was meditating on Mother's Day and the Bible verse that says:

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." Psalm 27:10

I got to thinking about all the people, young and old, who don't have active, caring mothers--those whose mothers either have abandoned them or have died. And it's a comfort to know, no matter what becomes of our earthly parents, if we trust in Jesus Christ, as those cats trust in the Cat Man, He will always take care of us.

BTW, the Cat Man is my husband, and I think I'm the only one who calls him that.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of inspiring parenting, check out this family of 17+ kids: Duggar family (Their house is awesome too!)

The Fearful Maiden

2008-04-30T22:13:00.013+03:00

Once upon a time, there lived a little maiden who was afraid of people. She hid beneath her bed every time someone came to visit. One day, she heard knocking at the door of her family’s cottage. She scooted under her bed, but her mother forced her out. “Come say hello to your uncle and his friend,” her mother said. The gruff uncle criticized the little maiden, but the lady friend was sympathetic. A contortionist by nature, the auburn lady amused the maiden by twisting her body into unlikely shapes.

Nevertheless, the maiden continued to avoid people at all costs. Folks figured she was either dumb or conceited. But this was not the case. The maiden was not very articulate, and she feared any attempt to interact with another person might cause her rejection. Fear cast a spell on her and locked her up inside.

The maiden buried her head in her spinning and weaving, glad these pursuits did not involve direct contact with other human beings. But she wasn’t happy, for she knew people are what count in this world.

After a while, tired of living under the oppression of Fear, the maiden tried different charms to break its spell on her. Nothing worked, not even marriage to the noble knight, who whisked her to a far country and gave her two fine sons.

Then one day, quite by accident (so she thought), the fearful maiden, now a wretched lady, found the Wonderful Prince of Peace. She discovered that even though her character was less appealing than a cow pie, He loved her. Yes! He loved her so much, He gave up His life so she could become a beautiful princess. The new princess felt great sadness to see the Wonderful Prince, also known as Jesus Christ, die for her. But then a miracle took place: the Wonderful Prince came back to life as the King of Kings!

An amazing thing happened to the princess too. She realized that when you’re accepted by the King of Kings, you don’t need anyone else’s approval. The good King’s love broke the spell of Fear. As a bonus, He gave the princess, who previously had not much to say about anything, something worthwhile to talk about.

And then the good King gave the princess opportunities to meet people. He called upon her to teach classes and speak to congregations. Fear tried to sneak back into the Princess. It whispered, “Fool, if you try to do what the King of Kings asks, you will look like that dumb, ugly hippo in the Camden Aquarium.” (See photo above.)

The princess remembered what the Holy Scriptures said about facing Fear. Quoting the verse, she boldly replied, “‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!’”

Just as the Wicked One had fled from the Prince when He quoted scripture, Fear ran away from the princess.

Then the princess read: “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” And she knew she could count on the good King to accomplish each task, no matter how difficult.

Because she trusted in Him, not only did the King of Kings empower the princess to gracefully fulfill her duties, but He blessed her as well. He gave her the lifelong desire of her heart—He connected her to people.

Photo by L. Trecroce

He is Risen

2008-04-24T21:05:00.051+03:00

Excitement charges the air this "holy week" as people hustle to prepare for Pascha, the eternal Passover, or Easter, as it is known in the West. Pascha is the biggest holiday in Greece, because it commemorates the most significant event in the history of mankind. The event, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was so important, the Apostle Paul had this to say about it:

"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."

Greeks and the Orthodox Church have constructed an elaborate set of traditions, surrounding the observance of Christ's resurrection. Red-dyed eggs, tall lambada candles, processions, fireworks, and family gatherings--all these things are supposed to add to both the gravity and the joy of the occasion. But I often wonder if the traditions don't detract from the observance, instead. It seems the embellishments have become more important to people than the actual event they were meant to honor. Are celebrants really rejoicing because Jesus Christ paid the price for their sins and rose to ever make intercession for them? Are they looking forward to His coming again, as the Bible admonishes us to do? The litmus test for true belief is what a person does with Jesus Christ when the holiday is over. Because Christ lives, we can rejoice in Him daily.

Pascha Sunday, Greeks will greet one another with: "Christos anesti." Christ is risen.

Alithos anesti. He is risen indeed!

Christ Arose, hymn by Robert Lowry

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

Brrring!

2008-04-12T20:16:00.039+03:00

What ringtone is on your cell phone?

I don't have any use for a cell phone, but I know those who do can choose any tune from Atomic Kitten to Zombienation. There are even lists of the 10 most popular ringtones, divided into different musical categories. Maybe you don't have a tune, but a sound effect. We have a friend (we'll call him Travis), who is alerted to his calls by a crowing rooster. Now that can get pretty annoying. Even so, the sound effectively identifies to Travis calls coming from his phone and not somebody else's. It's a great system, but it has it's limitations. I've heard more than one cell phone trill with the same sound.

Now consider the callers themselves. It never ceases to amaze me how I can identify any one woman out of all the women I know just by the sound of her voice. Approximately 6,661,000,000 people are alive today and each has a different voice pattern. Same with fingerprints, faces, etc. No two alike. Don't you find this incredible? The only explanation is God loves diversity. As the Bible says, He created us for His good pleasure. He wanted individuals He could love--People, not robots, who could love Him back.

I love the way the Lord treats us as individuals. He knows each one of us intimately, and His desire is for us to know Him the same way. He says:

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;" and "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

The thing about voice recognition is that it works both ways. Those who know The Lord Jesus Christ personally know his voice and can't be fooled into following a "hireling" down the path to destruction.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (Jesus in John 10)

Jesus' is a voice above all others worth getting to know.

Most Popular Book

2008-04-09T09:21:00.022+03:00

One of these days I'll get around to writing a real post again. In the meantime, you might be interested in reading the results of this recent poll: America's Favorite Book.

Here's why it's a favorite: About The Book

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35

Ants Move 40 Tons of Dirt to Build Metropolis

2008-04-07T15:08:00.010+03:00

Check out this YouTube video: Ants!
6 minutes long. Watch it to the end, and you'll be astounded. Inspired, even!

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:" Proverbs 6:6

April Fool's Day in Review

2008-04-02T09:36:00.034+03:00

"Lydia, I'm at the airport." Emily's voice trembled over the phone, yesterday. "I'm leaving for the Philippines and I'm never coming back. Please watch over my kids."

Once I realized my friend wasn't talking about an emergency visit, I was stunned. I echoed, "You're never coming back?"

"No, never," she said.

"What happened?"

"I can't stay here anymore." She sounded fed up. Or did she say she was? Shock prevented certain things from sinking into my consciousness.

"But, but . . . what about Joanna and Hannah?"

Silence on the other end. And then laughter. "April Fool's!"

Wow! Emily should become an actress. I was totally taken in by her prank. Ironically enough, what also aided her ploy was that I'd just finished reading Ladder of Years, the Anne Tyler novel about a woman who, feeling unneeded, spontaneously walks out on her family. (Emily had no way of knowing I'd just read the book.)

After my relief that my friend was not abandoning her family and leaving Greece, my thoughts turned to revenge. But I realized I could not get her back any time soon; she's too sharp for that. Instead, I decided to dispel my humiliation by trying to dupe other people. I think I succeeded in all cases except my husband. I did fool him eventually, making him jump out of bed to check a bogus leak in a faucet that had just been repaired. However he got me on a technicality. The time was 1:00 a.m. this morning--no longer April Fool's Day.

Let's face it, we pull pranks on people, not to make them look stupid, but to trigger an impromptu response. What we're looking for is an immediate reaction. Lots of times, a person's initial response to a situation will reveal his or her true character. Some of the reactions I got from my dupes yesterday were good-natured, others involved lashing out (name-calling), and prideful justification for their mistaken belief.

In a similar way, the Lord tests our hearts with the unforeseen trials He brings into our daily lives. As the psalm below implies, may our reactions always please Him.

Psalm 17:3: "Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress."

Since God, in His Word, also says, "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine", I'd love to hear about some of your best April Fool's Day pranks, given or received, past or present.

Oh, and Emily? Watch out. Next year, I'm coming after you!

Strong Man at the Acropolis. Photo by Alex Tsirozidis.