Clematis in Bloom

These are the clematis that are growing in the southwest facing garden at my home. I photographed them this morning.

Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour 2009, originally uploaded by Earth Hour Global.

A small way to be a good steward of God's planet.

Remembering Marcell

IMG_7557, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Marcell Murphy, my daughter Caitlyn's friend and classmate, died early Sunday evening after an apparent heart attack during a basketball game. What can I say about Marcell? He always had a smile on his face and was helpful and polite. Marcell would be one of the first football players to run over to the concession stand after the Friday night games looking for food. He was a big guy with a big heart. Marcell was a senior and would have graduated this June.

Caitlyn shared a few stories last night on the way home. Last year, her and Marcell had a few classes together. In Spanish II, if the other boys were bothering her, he would ask her if she wanted him to beat them up for her. When she would walk by, Marcell would joke around and clear a pathway for her in the crowded hall.

I was worried because she did not show any emotion when she first starting receiving the news via text messages from her friends. She told me that she did cry once she was in her discipleship group. There were lots of counselors and youth pastors at school yesterday for the students and they had an opportunity to share stories or give a testimony about Marcell and their friendship during chapel. Marcell liked to sing; so, the student body sang "Amazing Grace" and "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand".

Caitlyn told me last night that Marcell had just received his passport last week for his senior trip, where he would have been part of a group heading to Mexico to build pre-fabricated homes with his class for families who literally live in cardboard boxes. I believe the Class of 2009 will now have a greater drive in accomplishing this goal in Marcell's honor.
Please keep the Murphy family and the students and teachers of Chicago Hope Academy in your prayers at this time.

Buckland, Champion, Martin & Berryman in Section 119

Buckland, Champion, Martin & Berryman in Section 119, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Coldplay won three Grammy awards this past Sunday for "Best Rock Album" for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, "Best Pop Performance by Group" for for Viva la Vida and "Song of the Year" for Viva la Vida.

I shot this picture during the band’s United Center concert back on July 23, 2008.

Randomness ...

NavyPier050040, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I shot this picture of my youngest daughter while we were on a boat ride along Lake Michigan in late August, 2005.

One Night, One Voice

SaveDarfur.org has a post called "One Night, One Voice" that's worth checking out...

Silence the weapons of war. Help end physical and sexual violence against women in Darfur. What: An Advocacy…

New Year ... New Goals

Welcome to 2009! After being unable to particiapte in last year's race, I registered this morning for the annual Shamrock Shuffle 8K. It's the first big race of the running season up here in Chicago and probably the largest 8K in the world. I'm excited because my goal is to train for and complete a half marathon before my 40th birthday in September. My friend Jennifer from work will be my training partner; so, that will be very helpful for the two of us. She wants to run the Chicago Marathon in October.

Today is our big New Year's Day family dinner. Darrin has to work; but, I'm busy cooking up a storm: turkey breast, ham, broccoli & cauliflower, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce and gravy. I made a pumpkin pie this morning, too. It's our own tradition ... our parents and Janice come over for dinner, we give thanks to God for another year, we eat, we play games, we relax and welcome in the new year.

Looking Back 2008

2008, December. Chicago is holding its breath tonight as another snowstorm is forecast to hit area in the next few hours. A few days ago, the evening rush hour was ground to a halt when snow fell upon the area. It took my dad close to five hours to drive home from work in Franklin Park that night. Why does Winter seem different now that were adults? Remember when you were a kid? The excitement of the first snow fall. Snow days. The Blizzard of ‘79 (if you grew up in Chi-town). Sledding. Making snowmen and snow angels. I’ll admit it – Winter is not my favorite season; but, on a few star-filled nights, it’s easy to let the wonder of your childhood memories come rushing back as you breath into your lungs the cold evening air and get that feeling that it’s good to be alive.

"A thousand times I’ve failed, still Your mercy remains
and should I stumble again still I’m caught in your grace.

Caitlyn (no. 7) playing in a conference volleyball tournament in October.

Caitlyn’s sophomore year of high school went by quickly. She is now in her junior year at Chicago Hope Academy and is beginning to take a look at colleges. Caitlyn continued to play volleyball this year and was the main setter on the junior varsity team. In May, we celebrated her 16th birthday with a giant fashion show that was held in our backyard. She had asked her closest friends from school and church to participate and everyone practiced and had a blast putting it together. (Here’s a link to the fashion show video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXo9tO6cOLE). Caitlyn also took driver’s ed this summer and now has her permit. Yikes!

Everlasting Your light shines when all else fades.

Never ending Your glory goes beyond all fame.

Alex's long jump attempt at the C.A.L.L. Track & Field Event in May. She placed 1st in the 400 and 50 meter events for the 5th & 6th grade girls division.

Alexandra is in her 7th grade of elementary school now and has just begun practice for the upcoming basketball season at St. Andrew. She keeps busy throughout the school year by participating in all of the sports that are offered at school. During the Chicago Area Lutheran Association’s annual forensics competition last month, she placed 1st in Declamation for her performance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" speech. Alex also celebrated a milestone birthday this year when turned 13 on November 7th. It’s hard to believe that Darrin and I are now the parents of two teenagers.

Alexandra and her friends celebrating her 13th birthday.

The girls goofing around at Janice's new condo.

Both girls had opportunities to spend a week at different youth camps this past Summer. Alexandra attended Northland Camp up in Wisconsin and Caitlyn attended Phantom Ranch with her youth group from Armitage, as well as Sunshine Cove with the girls from Chicago Hope before the start of the school year.

My heart and my soul, I give You control.

Consume me from the inside out, Lord.
Let justice and praise become my embrace to love You from the inside out.

In June, we spent a few days up in the Wisconsin Dells. We drove up right after the Midwest experienced torrential rain, which lead to heavy flooding. The big talk of the town was how Lake Delton emptied out its contents into the Wisconsin River. It was a sight to see. Later that week, the girls and I surprised Darrin with a 40th birthday party at a local restaurant. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t surprised, but I think that he had a good time with his family and friends that were able to attend.

Old friends ... Rob Daulton and Darrin.

This past year has been a transitional year for me physically. I headed back to the gym in January, but it took me a few months to gather enough courage to try running again after last year’s surgery. I had to get past a big mental block; but, on April 8th, I ran for the first time after an eight month hiatus. In May, I decided to get serious about reaching some health goals; so, I started working with a trainer once a week at my gym. It was tough, but it was worth it because the strength training really made the difference along with the cardio. During the warmer weather, I run at lunchtime with my friend Jennifer from work and it has helped with accountability and encouragement. I trained for and ran in the Nike Human Race 10K (6.2 miles) in late August on behalf of The Lance Armstrong Foundation. At the start of the race, it was 87 degrees, which made it one of the most challenging runs in my life. I finished in 1:12:46 and my knee felt pretty good afterward. Jennifer and I are going to train for a half-marathon next year. It will be my big 4-0 goal. I am grateful to once again have the ability to run.

Your will above all else. My purpose remains the art of losing myself in bringing You praise.

And I remember ... the beauty of freshly fallen snow; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; the cougar roaming Roscoe Village; dreaming of Dublin mornings; working the concession stand along with other Chicago Hope parents at Altgeld Park during home football games on Friday nights; the "Faces of Women"; the Big Give; the lunar eclipse; honeysuckle and fuller hydrangeas; holding a plank pose; Looptopia with the girls; watching my daughters participate in their sporting events; Chef Gordon Ramsey telling me that I had a beautiful name; singing "Politik", "Lost" and "Fix You" along with Coldplay at the United Center; seeing the city bathed in an August sunset as we made the turn to head back north along the lake shore path; saying good-bye to our pet hampster, Adam; celebrating more "40th" birthdays; celebrating the U.S. Olympic team at the Oprah Show in Millennium Park; having a cough that never seemed to go away; hugs from the 4's & 5's on Sundays; landscaping the corner garden; perfect days; trying to track down Ringo Starr at Buckingham Fountain on his birthday with a little love and peace; U23D; Earth Hour; Guitar Hero and Rock Band jam sessions in our basement; hearing that one of my pictures was selected for inclusion on the Schmap Dublin Map Guide; running around the perimeter of Grant Park during Lollapalooza; our very own shower in the office; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this still 30-something body; just how good God is ... "all for His glory."

Everlasting Your light shines when all else fades.
Never ending Your glory goes beyond all fame.

2009. May the new year bring you much love and peace. We pray that during this holiday season, you will be reminded of the blessings and gifts that money cannot buy. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Above: Caitlyn, Megan, Alexandra, Darrin, Jennifer & me ... at Megan's 16th & Jennifer's 21 birthday party in December.

And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out. Lord, my soul cries out."
"From the Inside Out" by Joel Houston

Project Inspiration

Edward Steichen: The Flatiron, 1904

"The camera is a witness of objects, places, and events ...

The technical process simply serves as a vehicle of transcription and not as the art."--Edward Steichen

A photographer that inspires me is Edward J. Steichen (1879 - 1973). In particular, I have been fascinated by the above photo of New York's famed Flatiron Building since it was part of an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in the early 1990's. It's a dark photo, but it conveys a lot of emotion and color. It was shot over 100 years ago, but still has a modern feel to it. Some people dread the rainy days like the one shown in the photo; but, for us urban dwellers, our city can become a beautifully lit place of wonder. I guess that Steichen's photo of the Flatiron Building has always done that for me. Years ago, I tracked down a print of the photo from the The Metropolitan Museum of Art and had it framed ... and inspiration is never far away. Learn more about Edward Steichen here.

Things I Do ... Don't Do

My fellow blogger, Wayfaring Wanderer, is running a "Green" Giveway in which you have to create a blog post listing five things that you currently do right now that can be considered eco-friendly and five things that you don't do, but could easily start doing. Here is my contribution:

5 Things I Do That I Consider To Be Eco-friendly:

• I have blue bins throughout our home in which we recycle all of paper, glass and plastic products;
• I've made the switch to CFL bulbs;
• I've purchased recyclable cloth bags to use at the grocery store, rather than using plastic bags (besides, the cloth bags hold much more than plastic and are sturdier);
• I don't throw used batteries in the garbage, but I bring them to a proper recycling place so that they don't end up in a landfill; and
• We invested in new windows for our home this fall which our energy efficient.

5 Things I Don't Do, But Could Easily Start Doing:

• I could finally get around to starting that composting bin that I've been planning for the back of my yard (I'd like to start a mini-composting bin for underneath our kitchen sink for table scraps, too);
• Invest in a digital thermostat for our heating system so that we can program the temperature setting more efficiently;
• To encourage the family to be more mindful about leaving lights on;
• Use more eco-friendly household cleaners; and
• Less food waste (our family is terrible with leftovers).

No, that wasn't so hard :-)

REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE ... be a good steward of God's green earth.

Happy Birthday, Alexandra!

A few hours ago ... at 8:32 p.m. (I'm such a stickler for detail), my youngest daughter turned 13-years-old. I am now officially the mother of two teenagers. Alex tumbled into the world on a cold, Tuesday evening in a hospital room overlooking Lake Michigan. She is still full of energy and fills our lives and home with her laughter and craftiness; but, will always be daddy's little sweet pea and my little monkey.

Final Bloom of the Season

This shot of a coneflower (or Echinacea) was among the first taken with my new camera this month. I'm so glad it's Friday ... and you?

Eagle Team Work

IMG_6509, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

The Chicago Hope Academy Junior Varsity Volleyball team placed third in the CPC JV Volleyball Tournament this past weekend. Caitlyn (holding the trophy) and her teammates played well. The long volleyball season is nearing an end.

West Coast - Day Two: High Crosses, Warning Signs & Portal Tombs

The majestic Cliffs of Moher.

The original tower house of Leamaneh Castle dates back to about 1480AD.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away."

Janice & Meridith take it all in.

Look, Mom - no railings!

King Albert (waving) and Queen Paola of Belgium just happened to be on an

official state visit while we were at the Cliffs of Moher.

Hand-built stone walls are found throughout the countryside.

Kinvara Bay

Balancing Poulnabrone Dolmen

Wildflowers of The Burren

A high cross in Kilfrenora

Random email exchange from earlier today:

M: Ah, the change in the air during the two hours we were at the Cliffs. Being enthralled by that snail clinging to a blade of grass. Our bus driver and his stories. Our fellow tour mates. The ancient graves and the wildflowers that grew all around (and which I could not pick).

J: "LOL! The double potato! YES! I remember not being afraid of looking over the regulation side of the cliffs, but then going over to the “No Trespassing” side & FREAKING out about all the people walking along the path with no railings, only cliff. I mostly remember ... the beautiful live music coming from the top of the tower."

M: Unbloody believable! We even got to see a king!

Galway or Bust: Irish Rail is Your Friend

I will let Janice's words describe our first day in Galway: "So, I’m thinkin’ we were in Galway at the great fish place (McDonagh’s) that seemed to be filled with tourist & only the locals used ‘take away’ service. Mushy peas … not so great. Curry sauce … FAB … or at least I thought so! You, not so much. But kudos to you for trying it!

Before dinner, we ambled through the shops on the main street & wandered to the shore to look at a bit of history. After dinner, you took a picture of the patches in the pub behind the bar. There was a Chicago patch there … as well as one Chicago fella & some American girl who was looking to hook up … so it seemed. The music was sporadic & the pub crowded & we were tired. I think we got an ice cream & a cab back to the B&B.

We were dead-dog tired by the time we made it back to the B&B … up that REALLY big hill (remember hauling our stuff up there?? YIKES!)! During the night, some fellow who was a “wee bit drunk” tried to get into our room! “Ian, Ian … .”

Sigh….good times! Tomorrow we go to the Cliffs!"

Sidebar: pulling into the train station in Galway, we noticed a lot of police action along the bay. Turns out that a young college student was found murdered earlier that morning. So, when the strange fellow was attempting to get into our room at the Asgard, it was a tad bit creepy. Geraldine, our host at the Asgard, didn't hear a thing. And, yes, there really was a BIG hill that we had to hike up to get to our B&B. We had a difficult time once we left the train station just trying to find College Road. It was really hot that afternoon, too.

Best fish 'n' chips in Ireland!



Our room in the Asgard.

Chicago's finest: perched on a bar on Galway.

Another pub.

The sign was hanging in the Galway train station.

The Spanish Arch is located where Galway's river meets the sea.

Lots of wool scarves and sweaters to choose from.

Galway Yoga Center is on the right.

Looking Back 10/8/07: Birthdays, Bewley's, Books & Bailey's

It was a very cold October morning. We got dressed and walked east to grab some breakfast. "Nude" is a small chain of cafe shops which emphasizes healthy foods. It is owned by Bono's brother (I'm pretty sure he was there the day we stopped in, but someone does not believe me). It is the home of the best raspberry muffins in the world!

Janice and I started off our day with a guided tour of the historic Trinity College. Our very knowledgeable (and cute) guide told us all about Trinity, which included a stroll through the grounds and then we were able to view The Book of Kells, which is an illuminated manuscript in Latin of the four Gospels. It was transcribed by Celtic monks back in 800. It is an amazing piece of artwork. Only two of the four volumes are on display at one time. It was neat to learn about the inks and papers. The colors are still so vibrant. Learn more at: Book of Kells - Trinity College Library Dublin.

Shopping along Grafton Street. I love big red doors.

We headed over to Bewley's on Grafton Street for lunch. (Bewley's is famous for their tea). Let's just say it was interesting. The waitress we had was very confused about what was on the menu. I don't think Janice or I actually got what we ordered. We should've just went with a scone and tea.

St. Stephen's Green is a beautiful public park that is situated at the sound end of Grafton Street. Autumn was in full swing and the park was overflowing with color. The sculpture below was created by Edward Delaney and is entitled "Famine." It commemorates the Great Famine that occurred in Ireland in the mid-1800's.

"St. Patrick's Cathedral ... brought to you by Bailey's Irish Creme!"

One of my favorite pictures. Always read the small print! "Bring your own bag."

Happy Birthday to Janice! We celebrated her 40th birthday with a fabulous dinner at The Tea Room where everything is locally sourced. I surprised Janice with a collection of birthday wishes from family, friends and colleagues that I had collected before we left. After dinner, it was off for a night of "craic" (Irish term for fun).

We spent the rest of the night at Oliver St. John Gogarty's in Temple Bar singing along during a traditional Irish session. "Hey Jude" was sung at one point and later on everyone joined in for a rousing version of "With or Without You", which is when our English friend (in gray jacket below) grabbed my camera and filmed us for posterity. During the late night, a group of Danes and our English friend taunted one another, trading old World War II insults. We Americans were stuck in the middle. A dance-off ensued. We were asked to play spoons and dance. Carry on, shall we?

Our Danish friends.

Our English friend.