Franny and Zooey

Since I've been home from SPU, I have been bombarded by book recommendations, some from friends, some from mentors, and some that seem to just circulate in the world of well-known, good books. I have so far purchased The Great Gatsby, A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanaken, all three volumes of Jon Courson's Application Commentary, and finally Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger. I have made my way halfway through A Severe Mercy, and it's quite a good read, but I opened up Franny and Zooey this morning, and I have a feeling I will finish it first--I just LOVE it! The writing style of Salinger provokes in me the same gitty whit that Hemingway's works do. I'm only on page 35, so I can't say I appreciate it as a whole yet, but thus far, I am pleasantly delighted with it.

And as a disclaimer, all the books I've purchased--minus the Bible commentaries--were bought used, at very low prices. These low prices were my excuse for such impulsive buys. 

 

Meet Joe Black

Have you ever seen something so out of place that you can only stare and be in complete awe?

Two days ago, I drove to Fred Meyer's to pick up some oatmeal. I was on a mission to get the oatmeal quick because my cookie recipe was half-made, sitting out at home (I realized we didn't have any oatmeal after the cookie-making process began). I walked quickly down the aisles, scanning the shelves for what I was looking for. I then came to aisle 6 and saw five women all stopped in their tracks, staring at something I couldn't see. There was an old woman, two girls my age, and two middle-aged women, none of them being together. Curious to see what would cause these five strangers to stare with eyes wide and jaws dropping, I poked my head around the corner.

And there, standing before me, was the most handsome and epic-looking man I believe I have ever seen. He looked to be about thirty. His hair was similar to Brad Pitt's in Meet Joe Black and he was wearing a fitted, black suit. In the midst of suburban Portland, two teenagers, a couple frumpy old housewives, an old woman, and I were faced with someone straight out of a James Bond film picking out batteries on aisle 6, probably for some digital device James Bond would use, I thought. I stood there for about ten seconds, then he looked up at all of us staring at him. Quickly pretending to go back to our shopping duties, we all snapped out of the trance and carried on with our shopping.

But the best part is that as I walked out to the parking lot and got into the driver's seat of our family's Astro van, I looked to my left, and there, parked right next to me, was the Joe Black man, unwrapping the batteries in the driver's seat of a tan Astro van with two kids in the back. Icing on the cake.

Some Reflections...

Sometimes, I am quite eloquent in my thinking, at least, I think I am. And other times, most times, I am quite scatterbrained--thus, the title of this blog. Today, I am more on the scatterbrained side of things. Much has happened in the last six months, events both big and small, and since this morning, I've been reflecting on a lot...

-One decision I made recently was quite large. Who goes away to an acclaimed university with the blessing of scholarship for all four years, attends for one quarter, than moves home? I did. It took some long, sleepless nights to think/pray through the decision to come home. I knew I would have to explain the whys and hows to many people who disagreed with my decision. I knew that there would be LOADS of paperwork and phone calls and emails that would have to be made, sent out, and filled out. I knew that I was in a situation that many people would love to be in, but never get the opportunity to do. Yet, the peace I feel now is so reassuring, and I feel that going away for four months made me realize how much I do love this place I've called home, and do call home, for the better part of my life.

-I have also been pondering/wrestling with/being haunted by the fact of how short this life on earth is. Seriously. When the Bible talks about how we are but vapors in the wind or flowering grass that will fade away, it's terribly and wonderfully true. I am at a time in my life where I'm figuring out where I want to go, what I want to do, and how I can bring God the most glory (which is actually a somewhat selfish motive because "bringing glory to God" and "delighting in Him" is the ultimate purpose in man, according to the Bible, so I know that I will find the most purpose when I'm bringing glory to Him),while also delighting in Him. There are so many dreams I have that I yearn to be able to accomplish in my short time here. Hebrews talks about how many great men and women of the Bible were heavenly-minded and received the fullness of God's promises to them only after they died and went to Heaven. God's covenant and promise to Abraham began while Abraham was alive, but has truly been fulfilled thousands of years after his death. "But as it is, they desired a better country"--Heaven. What am I doing now that will be of lasting value? Am I investing my time/energy/love/emotion/work into earthly, perishable things, or am I investing in things that will last? This life is so short. Fiddlesticks!

-I love the sun. It has been sunny and clear of clouds here in P-town for the last week, and the vitamin D and endorphins that have been released in my body due to the sun is quite appreciated. So the wind chill brings the temperature down to what feels like twenty degrees. I don't care. The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. That's all I need. And just for the nostalgic effect, I let down my hair, turned country radio on, and rolled the windows down as I drove out in the "no speed limit zone" country yesterday. It was quite glorious until I couldn't feel my ears anymore due to the cold. Oh well. Summer is just around the corner...

Scatterbrained 4

I have learned that time will tell. 

And Sunday was quite telling. 

Of one and another. 

The one by the fountain was the icing on the cake.

The other by the table kept flashing double takes. 

The one was there, then disappeared. 

The other was there, and wouldn't. 

I guess this may be a fault by me, a block in the path I didn't see. 

But how could I recognize the unfamiliar scene when I've honed my whole life the art of repelling?

Then when one comes, I've no experience to show.

And the other is blinded by those glasses of rose.

I really do wish one would understand this state I'm in,

That I can hardly, comfortably, let anyone in.

Well I want to, but circumstance was not my best friend.

And one was a bit presumptuous if you ask me.

Now the other, dear other, good and charming, dear other.

One day you will wake up and find your other.

But not me, not me, no, now not me.

And I'm sure many more would love to be the source of your charm.

Do not be alarmed. 

I surely am not.

The pining heart doth wander about many things.

But with one I am done.

As the other trails behind.

But shall I forget that which was so meaningful?

That which was so beneficial to my state and process of thinking?

That which has heightened my standard?

The icing on the cake that one created on Sunday is beginning to melt.

Kind of.

But Self, stop whining.

All in good timing.

I just got Jon Courson's Application Commentary of the whole Bible. It's seriously astute. Buy it.