That Magical Day Heralding Summer

Today is that magical day Ron and I have waited for over six long, rainy, cloudy, cold, dreary, busy-bee months: opening day of baseball season.

We enjoy baseball not only for love of the game, but also for love of the easy rhythm and beauty, the languor, of the season: sunny, warm, less complicated and less rushed.

After work, Ron hurries home and often fires up the barbecue for an outdoorsy, charbroiled dinner followed by leisurely hours of watching our team win or lose. Later, he tunes in ESPN's SportsCenter for the latest scores and standings before nodding off for the evening.

All I can say is... Let's play ball!

"We're on lockdown at school."

The following is an actual text message conversation I had today with my daughter, a junior in high school.... a terrible and terrifying conversation dreaded by every parent in 2008.

Andrea (3:33 PM): we're on lockdown at school so im still in class. we arent supposed to call so im texting. im fine :)

Me (3:34 PM): Are you ok?

Andrea (3:35 PM):yes im totally fine

I called the school office, and a secretary verified that the entire school of 2,500 students is on lockdown because of shots heard north of the campus. Until the police clear the area, school will remain locked down.

Me (3:40 PM): Text me when they release you. Your dad will pick you up. Please be extra cautious.

Andrea (3:42 PM): Okay i love you

Me (3:54 PM): Do they have any idea when this will be over?

Andrea (3:55 PM): no they keep coming on and saying just stay in class

Me (3:58 PM): The office said it was an off-campus incident with a student. Need police clearance to let you go.

Andrea (3:58 PM): okay

Me (4:15 PM): Any word? Where are you?

Andrea (4:16 PM): Nothing. im still in government.

Me (4:17 PM): I should call your employer. (She was due at her job at 5 PM.)

Andrea (4:19 PM): we just got out

She's now safe at home. Thank God!

Moved by the Democratic Ballot

I was surprisingly moved today at the privilege of voting for either a woman or an African-American to be President of the United States.

I suppose that, despite leading a comfortable, middle-class life, I've always unconsciously felt the invisible glass ceiling of hard reality and unfair boundaries.

What today's Democratic ballot means is that I, and my daughters and granddaughter, can be regarded as professional equals to men. That the world no longer sees us as second best... as lesser imitations of white men.

My life's work will be unchanged, of course. But there are no limits for the young women in my family.

Knowledge of that new freedom to follow God's leading anywhere is indeed, a privilege and a deep blessing.

Annual Accountability Moment, 2007

Well, it's here again... my annual public accountability moment on my greatest weakness: exercise!
Stationary Bike Mileage, by Year:

• 2007 - 614.0
  
• 2006 - 645.5
  
• 2005 - 564.5
  
• 2004 - 562.0

I was on track to easily top my 2006 total until my doctor told me to vary my physical activity... include other exercise, as well. So I did... sort of. But not enough.

Mainly, I sporadically walked. The family-heirloom arthiritis in my knees is a hindrance, though... and as a writer and journalist, I'm not inclined to leave my laptop for great lengths of weekday time.

I may shop for a treadmill, as I know that's the answer to more physical activity.

But for now, I feel GREAT about keeping up the pace in 2007.

Christmas 2007 Dinner Menu

Being a semi-foodie, an annual tradition of my blog is to post our Christmas family dinner menu, once the chef (me!) creates and clears the plan:

Christmas 2007 Dinner Menu at the White Home

Salmon, poached in California chardonnay (vintage 2005)

Angel hair pasta with homemade basil pesto

Roasted corn with sweet red bell peppers

French-cut green beans, topped with seasoned, fried onions

Green tea muffins (homemade)

Vanilla bean cheesecake with dark Morello cherries

White cranberry juice

Caifornia chardonnay (2005)

Starbucks coffee, Christmas blend

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! And remember... amidst the gifting and feasting, give grateful thanks for the reason for our joyful celebration: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our Christmas Arrived Six Days Early

Our Christmas arrived early this year... on December 19th, to be exact.

At 6:51 A.M, when Ian Maxwell Clark entered the world.

Yes, we were richly, deeply blessed with a second grandchild, a grandson, pictured at left with his beaming father, who happens to be my beloved son.

Mother, father and Ian are healthy, happy and at home now. Big sister Gabriela, 2 1/2 years old, is healthy and at home, of course, but not yet happy about this 7 lb. 2 oz. interloper into her universe.

In many ways, we're enjoying perhaps our most joyous Christmas season ever. Or maybe, just maybe, we're focusing on our blessings this year, and consciously noticing and appreciating all that God has gifted to us.

All four of our children, plus their two spouses and two children, will gather at our home this year (first time in three years!) for presents, festivities and a meal to celebrate family, traditions and God's love.

Like I do each year, I'll post our Christmas dinner menu once I finalize it tomorrow. Until then, savor the season...

And if you have the sacred opportunity this holiday season, hold a newborn baby close in your arms.

From My Reading Shelf in Dec 2007

While I sit here for the next hour (as part of a 250-person conference call with About.com/New York Times, for which I've freelanced for the last three years), I thought I'd fill these semi-boring minutes by perusing my reading table.

On my reading table as of today:

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, a Pulitzer Prize winning collection of ten short stories, published in 1999. Our book club (at church) is reading this volume for our January meeting. I read the first story today, and found it touching, deep and emotionally intimate. This author is sensationally talented.

I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert. A fairly funny book from the absolutely hysterical Comedy Central comedian. A birthday gift from Andrea. Should be a quick read, once I find a free afternoon.

Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes by Mark J. Penn, a senior campaign advisor to Sen. Hillary Clinton and a top-notch national political pollster. Sent to me by a publisher who wants a book review at my About.com site. At first glance, the book isn't nearly as dry as it sounds. Penn describes 70 trends in American society in the areas of religion, politics, health and wellness, work, family life, food, money and more. Problem is... the underlying premise is to create a path for politicos to pander to special interest groups, rather than taking moral stands.

Interventions by Noam Chomsky. For the radical bent inside my placid, middle-aged exterior. The brilliant (and almost supernaturally insightful) Dr. Chomsky has taught linguistics and philosophy at MIT for more than fifty years. And he has an entirely different, radical take on all things political.

The Voice of Luke: Not Even Sandals by Brian McLaren. Ordered it today from Amazon on a whim while I was shopping for Christmas. Luke is my favorite of the Gospels, and Brian McLaren is a fresh, interesting Christian voice. Should be intriguing food-for-thought.

Any suggestions for other books?