Sunday, December 23, 2007 | by nathan

What Sam Is Doing While I’m Working On This Website

Sunday, December 23, 2007 | by nathan

A White Christmas Eve Eve

Yesterday Brian and I got to church early to bring dessert and help out with Mobile Meals, a local service our church helps with which delivers meals to the elderly. A cold front blew through Oklahoma yesterday and it was absolutely bone-chillingly cold outside, so it felt wonderful to be elbow-deep in a sinkful of scalding-hot water. Afterward we shopped for small presents to stuff in our families’ stockings and went to the mall to laugh at the people who still haven’t finished their shopping (haw haw!). We dropped Sam off for a bath and bought some wine.

By the time we were done, there was a blizzard happening. It’s supposed to get warmer by Christmas Day, so my obsessive-compulsive need for a white Christmas might not happen, but we have a white Christmas Eve … Eve. So, here’s this:

Friday, December 21, 2007 | by nathan

My Cousins and I Used To Play “War” With These

Thursday, December 20, 2007 | by nathan

My Sisters

This is a picture of, from left, my half-sisters Valerie and Lauren and my cousin Beverly, taken in the late 1970’s, before I was born. I don’t get to see my sisters enough, because Val lives in Pennsylvania and Lauren near Beaumont, TX., and while Beverly lives here in the Oklahoma City area, I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like.

But - my sisters are in Oklahoma for the holidays, and last night we went out for cajun food. Dad came up from Arkansas, and Bev came to have dinner with us all. My sisters and I didn’t grow up together; they were in college when I was born, but I love them a lot and was glad to see them. Tonight we’re cooking steaks out on the grill and we’ll sit and talk for awhile. I’m looking forward to it.

Monday, December 17, 2007 | by nathan

All Set For A Christmas Party

Thursday, December 13, 2007 | by nathan

Cherry Paintings in the Kitchen

I got these paintings, by local artist Marsha Mahan, at the Paseo Arts Festival in May, and for months they’ve hung above my stove. I was immediately dissatisfied with my decision to hang them there, however, as they were not very visible and I thought the steam and smoke from regular cooking might harm them.

So while we were trapped in our house during the Ice Storm, I reorganized my kitchen to give myself much more counter space, and re-hung these beauties on a stretch of wall that had formerly been blocked by our overly-numerous kitchen appliances, many of which are now stored in cabinets, as we almost NEVER make toast. I love them dearly, and I hope to get more of her work in the future.

Sunday, December 9, 2007 | by nathan

Sam, Concerned by the Ice Storm

Sunday, December 9, 2007 | by nathan

Dead Hydrangeas in the Ice Storm

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 | by nathan

My Favorite Hymn

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 | by nathan

Ten Commandments Window in Davis Chapel

This weekend was absolutely nothing like I’d have imagined, but it was everything I needed and more. I am reminded that I have a wonderful support system, built during my four years in Winston-Salem, that remains strong to this day. From Mark and Jason and Filippa letting us stay in their respective homes, to all the wonderful people who greeted us warmly, had beers with us, and walked around campus endlessly at my somewhat-random direction.

I was so lucky to get to attend college where I did, to have a mom and dad who were so deeply supportive of my desire to attend Wake. I was lucky to make some great friends who’ve continued to stick by me and to one another despite the distances between us. I feel refreshed and renewed after this trip; I have yet to process everything, but everything is good, and I’m going to spend today enjoying it, and being thankful.