On my mind last week (Aug 17-23, 2019)

View from last week's ponder place

• Knowing about community is easy; doing that is hard.
• Listen, think, act, and take responsibility.
• We must submit to being healed and loved by God.
• Feel sorry. Confess wrong.
• Do we trust Jesus enough to tell each other the truth in love?
• What is the nature of conceptual division? What is the basis for process coordination?
• Focusing on, trusting in, and waiting on Jesus puts everything in context.
• We can choose to be present to God and others.
• I am always home because Jesus is always here.
• There are many contaminated lips that need cleansing in our faith communities (Isaiah 6:5).
• When we trust Jesus, his strength is at our disposal, and every action is an act of worship. Lord, we trust; help our lack of trust.

Obsessing on intellection

So, "intellection" was a word of the day on Monday, August 5th. Given that this is one of my top 5 strengths according to StrengthsFinder, I, of course, had to ponder it in the Zibaldone. According to dictionary.com, "intellection" means "the action or process of understanding; the exercise of the intellect; reasoning."

Just to show the depth of my obsession, the first thing that came to mind was a deep desire to understand this process of understanding. This is my happy place. But intellection can be an inward-facing loop, giving the thinker years of fun without adding much to the world at large. I'm in that loop too often.

So, how does one ensure that intellection bears fruit?

My Perfect Travel Mug

 I searched for months. No so-called travel mug was sufficient for my needs: sealing, non-reactive, sippy lid, and cool. Then I spotted a Ball® 8oz Quilted Crystal Jelly Jar in my local supermarket. Perfect...except the lid began to leak (who knew canning lids were designed as single use? not me).

Then the solution presented itself: The reCAP Mason Jars Pour Cap.

And, behold, my perfect travel mug. Yay!

For the curious who may be wondering why this is on a blog now dedicated to my dissertation process: coffee is the elixir of life and a perfect travel mug is required for those of us who dissertate on public transit. :-)
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(C) Laura Springer

Musings of a peripatetic wannabe-sage by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License..

This pile of paper and words

Tuesday's pile of paper and words.

reflection on reality reveals
truth. worn from effort and habit
and constant step-upon-step.

the capstone in a road of years proves
the wall is met. and finish well:
trek the last despite pain.

pile of paper and words will speak
testimony: evidence of a road traveled,
dispositions hones through pain.

Posted 4/9/2013--a bit late, but hey, I'm dissertating.
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(C) Laura Springer

Musings of a peripatetic wannabe-sage by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License..

Green in Orange - not that one

The Orange and the  Green is (apparently) a song about the troubles between orange (Protestant) and green (Catholic) in Northern Ireland. While the troubles have been on my mind lately, it being Saint Paddy's Day this past Sunday, that's not what I mean today. Sorry for the bait and switch, but this is rather stream of consciousness (which surely says something about my consciousness).

I'm speaking of my lovely morning green beverage, carried in a glass water bottle from Lifefactory:

• 8 oz of Just Greens
• 2T of KAL Nutritional Yeast
• a splash of heavy cream

Yum.

By the way, all the links to companies/organizations are simply spreading the love; I get nothing save warm feelings.

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(C) Laura Springer

Musings of a peripatetic wannabe-sage by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License..

How is your sleep?

I'm working on increasing how long I sleep. Right now I average a bit less than 7 hours--not good, but that has increased from around 6 hours, so I'm well on my way. This infographic from Greatist summarizes some of the steps I've been taking and provides a few more.

Go see the infographic.

Get health and fitness tips at Greatist.com

How is your sleep? 

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(C) Laura Springer

Musings of a peripatetic wannabe-sage by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License..

Can anyone explain the nearly ubiquitous display of underpants?

Waiting for the bus, riding on the train and bus, at the store, well, just about everywhere, I see young men who have some culturally driven need to display their underpants. Why? Maybe they don't comprehend the meaning of the term "under." So for reference, "preposition. 1. beneath and covered by" (dictionary.com). I remain mystified.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Yeah, there are more outdoor offices

student fireplace, south side

McNalley campus

student fireplace, north side

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Love it when the office is wherever the work gets done

mountain patio

Orchard Bay

Biola student fireplace

Biola cafeteria

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Awaiting the Dragon's return

On my way to the train this morning, I passed by SpaceX (white building on the right side of the street in the pic below). I do this every weekday, so that's no biggie. But this morning was a bit different, for across the street (left side of the street) were news vans, cameras pointed at the front of SpaceX. This morning, the Dragon returns.

Glad I saw this tiny bit.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Blatant disregard for the rules - the fire hydrant parking version

Now, I realize the person who parked this way probably had a final to run off to, but really? 


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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Plant whacking is an uncalled for convenience

I realize the importance of keeping the walkway clear of plants, as they can be a trip hazard. On the other hand, I don't think that the curbs are so attractive as to justify whacking beautiful flowers back behind the curb. This seems to be overkill, designed to increase the time between trimmings. Boo.


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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Old Torrance Coffee & Tea

This is my favorite Sunday coffee place. Old Torrance Coffee & Tea makes excellent espresso, served with a smile. For those who eat such things, the pastries look amazing. Seriously. One day, I may succumb and have a slice of apple pie--it also looks amazing.


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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Being here and moving on: birthday again

Upon revisiting Psalm 139

For me, it's day by day
path barely lit by steps
taking direction by guess
and trust

Today
looking back over a half century
the guidance is clear
strengthening trust for tomorrows

For you
my path is clear
seen by omniscience
designed by sovereignty
guided by love

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

"Simple Gifts" on A Friction Harp

I officially want one.
 

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Music is not merely playing at the same time

Playing together consists of much more than merely playing at the same time.

There is a garage band on my way from campus to the bus. A few years ago, they were terrible musicians. With practice, they have become better at their instruments. This is good.

But, speaking as one who has played in a band for many years, playing together consists of much more than playing at the same time. It is critical for band-mates to listen to one another and to have the song in their hearts. Then the music happens. Otherwise it is merely noise.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

The shrouded morning

I like fog. Even with the inherent dangers for pedestrians, the shrouded dawn is comforting. Somehow the world is quieter and calmer. There is a damp stillness of mystery that nurtures reflection.

So, while wisdom demands the caution of a don't-hit-me flash light, my soul still likes fog.

Farewell to summer. ..

Tomorrow my summer ends. Classes start and I once again commit myself Biola's student contract. While there are times I greatly dislike the restrictions, I also see and agree with their benefits. So, I willingly return to holy time and say farewell to the ale I so enjoy, for I value the learning and the community more than fleeting pleasures.

A kindle is not a paper book and that's good

Honestly I thought I would hate it: I like the feel of paper. In fact, I only purchased mine as a cheap tablet-of-sorts (more on that at another time). The truth is, I have read and comprehended more books in less time than ever before.

If you are skeptical, I understand, but consider this: the kindle manages and aggregates notes and highlights, tweets, surfs the net, and--this is my favorite--reads to you (if allowed by the publisher).

Very cool.

I am not blank

They call me white, but this is not what I call myself. My heritage is much too diverse for such a stereotyped and culturally-loaded designation.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.