Did You Know???

That roaches can fly?

Those that formerly enjoyed the hospitality of our front room failed to ask our permission to move-in. They earned airline miles directly into the trash can.

Some roach facts I already knew, like the females were pregnant for life. No fact sheet needs to tell anyone that. Or that they wear they're skeletons outside of their bodies, ho hum.

Interesting face that I did not know or  really care about is that their blood is white. Okay, that explains why there is no red when they are deservedly removed. Um, are you beginning to see how I feel about these creatures?

I realize that they are God's making, yet there are 5,000 species. And there is only one human species. (Really, again that fact sheet--5,000.) Give me a few spiders and I can deal with it. If you have seen the rats here, then you would call the humane society--for your own protection. Mice? No problem as yet here, but the 58 and counting in the 1st floor apartment has me wondering why she has dogs instead of cats...

Did I tell you that every squirrel that I've seen is either black or deep chocolate?

Living in NYC has its own set of tiny creatures who love and are devoted to being with you. None of whom you are prepared to welcome into your precious food and water supply much share the 1,000 year old plumbing and beautiful architecture.

But it is all worth every antenna and whisker to share God's inner peace with a stressed-out professional. Amazing talent is all around us here and each are striving to use that talent to the best of their ability. The pressure they put upon themselves is overwhelming. We are so glad to be here, share and pray that God's Spirit indwell each one.

Another One???

Finding a dentist shouldn't be a problem really, then again...when you absolutely have to have one, no way around it, its almost impossible. And we were too far away from Macy's to ask for directions this time (another story).

I'd chipped a tooth. Oh so tiny but my tongue had decided it has to be the size of a major rock slide. So this chip had to be repaired at the earliest possible moment...our last emergence guy, well, he was not going to be the one that was for sure.

After scouring the neighborhood and calling the major dental schools (all the students turned out to be on holiday!), I was depressed in addition to having a chipped tooth.

Not to be denied, late in the night, I through my eye sight to the side and scoured the Internet one more time. TADA--a local dentist, not five blocks from me who services everyone? Eureka!

The chip is repaired, no cavities and he loves my teeth and all the former dentists who have ever done work on my mouth. Obviously he has a great chair side manor.

Fast forward to this week. While eating breakfast, one cheerio will not chew properly. Much to my chagrin I know immediately that the tooth immediately next to that tiny chip has chipped. The backside of the tooth is now in my hand. No rough tongue this time.

An immediate call to my great new dentist--he is not in the office today.

Ring Them Bells

No, they weren't dancing Santas, amazing Rocketts, prancing reindeer or even Macy's window displays. Outside Grand Central Terminal on the northeast corner, the hopping bellringers surrounding the Salvation Army Christmas red kettle was the most amazing spontaneous happening I've seen this season...thus far. And I've seen some very amazing things.

I have to be super honest here, I am saving up sights for Christmas Eve. Still, the season around here can not be ignored. Try as I might, it will not be silent, in the night or otherwise.

There I was, minding my own busy business of heading for the next subway train. Just like uncounted other New Yorkers. Imagine our surprise...

People were stunned, shocked, dancing and actually stopping before ducking into the Terminal to catch the next transport. Oh and cameras were flashing of course. Enough cameras to add a line to "The 12 Days of Christmas". (Hey, when was the last time you didn't see a digital camera or phone flashing?)

Okay, what did I enjoy so much? There was one lone uniformed Salvation Army volunteer ringing his bell...and dancing to the bell's ringing. Beside him was a group of around 15, ringing bells accenting hiphop dance steps.

The corner was packed with people, holiday spirit and down right fun.

Ring them bells.

Brain Freeze + Christmas Vender Across The Street

Its official, all the amazing tree lighting ceremonies are happening downtown; Rockefeller Center, South Street Seaport, Union Square, Central Park and today the Christmas tree vendor opens up today across the street. Wow--the holiday spirit is upon us!

And I have to admit it, I have terminal brain freeze. Honey and I have major brain freeze and gone through a case of eye drops. Being on the computer until 2 AM several nights in a row will do that to a person! The results will be outstanding as physical boldness tends to lead when covered by prayer. But sometimes, the physical has to get a tad weary! (At least I understand what I just wrote...)

Time for our morning Bible reading, off for now dear readers.

Super Surpise by Friends and New Yorker... and no so much by fingers

Yesterday a surprise overnight visit from a friend, Cindy, resulted in an amazing journey through our NYC neighborhoods, memories and a special favorite--street food. But Cindy had a treat up her sleeve. She insisted on taking us to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular! And who are we to refuse???

Time cut her trip short so she got tickets for us to go later. And by now dear reader, you have learned every thing becomes a story with us! Our ticket clerk was eating Reese peanut butter candy when we came up. Hand over mouth, she gestured for us to wait. I giggled that only if she gave us some candy too would we wait! Immediately she hustled over to her stash. Likewise, we were screaming, nooooooo--kidding---but she was having as much fun as we were. And of course the line for tickets had not grown any shorter.

Speaking of shorter, lets bring this adventure to a close. She gave us a discount on the tickets and we are going to see the show next Monday.

New Yorkers are so full of life, they love doing things for other folks.

On another subject, not so much fun, why does drying fingernail polish take longer watching a pot of water to boil?

This fabulous Passion Pink shade drying on my too short nails has finally had the ultimate in drying technique. Most of you know this one. After waiting plenty of time, we get thirsty, go to the frig, open the door, bump a nail and a white chip appears.

Well, of course I did this. And of course I proceeded to the ultimate treatment. Using the back of my tongue to push the remaining not-yet-cured polish over the chip. It is vital not to use the taste bud side.
Enough color moved over to cover the white, not the hole of course. But I don't care. I am not redoing this.

(I am typing with wet nails. I am far too impatient to wait any longer.)

I do hope to see the Rocketts with dry fingernails.

The Moment

Life changing moments happen so often that we have stopped seeing them. Our watches tick them off for us second by second, or rather our cell phone clock digitally show the timing these days. Yet last night and today, two memorable events have shaped my living memory and life.

Our first baptism at Everyday Christian Church was a grand celebration last night. In a portable baptistery in a favorite restaurant here on Broadway in Inwood (Manhattan), Carina put on our Lord in baptism last night. She danced before Him in a marvelous tribute, pure and holy, her worship to him. As she stepped into the water, we all held our breath. It was about 50 degrees. Yes, she was brave indeed!

A single mom with two brilliant, beautiful kids who works very hard, she is in the situation of so many in our area. The culture of single moms, supporting the kids and household and frantically running in circles to make a life. Please pray for all the moms in this area.

Please pray for your new sister.

The other life changing moment was another celebrating. At the 9/11 Memorial, it was revealed to me that rather than a lives-lost memorial, it was a lives-living celebration in all the surviving children now the legacy of those who past away. Children were at the Memorial, talking on cell phones, playing in just another park and acting like children do.

Life changing moments are celebrations.

I like that.

If You Open It, They Will Come...and Bond

Boy, do I have a lot to learn. Evidently, no matter the weather, even blizzards are no match for New Yorkers in search of candy.

Two events held last Halloween weekend proved to me that NYC kids and their parents are more than ready to attack the cold and wet of an early "Nor'easter". (Hurricanes, not so much.) But the early October snow storm was so much of any oddity that all had to go out and see for themselves. Why they didn't turn right around and go back in for a nice cup of coco is beyond me. Or why I didn't do likewise is still a mystery.

It was a clear, breezy afternoon. Friday's "Fall Festival" put on by ECC saw all the small smurfs, evil doers, heroes, spidies, princesses and other taller versions crowded into the cramped office building. Arts and crafts, games, theater and candy treating took place. It was a vertical delight taking place on several floors.

RDF3 came as a Texan, western boots and hat made him 7' tall. I was a gypsy dressed in blue, quite stunning. The blue finger nail polish continues to get compliments as I've not removed it! Raymon registered the families and directed traffic while I pretended to do arts and crafts. (It was too hard for me, so I let the kids do it!)

ECC volunterred to assist doing the whole thing over again at the elementary school the next evening. Their celebration was called "The Monster's Ball." And the October surprise blizzard was in full swing.

The snow was supposed to have stopped early that afternoon. Evidently it wanted to come to the party as well so it hung around until 8 PM. Trees split in half, electrical wires were dancing in the street in other areas, branches were bent to the ground and mush was everywhere. But the children kept coming.

The entertainers were late as the Subway backed up. The children kept coming.

The entrance area set-up for wet things was waist high. The children kept coming.

And it finally stopping snowing. And the children finally stopped coming.

We didn't want to be around when the families leaving hit the pile of wet coats, boots and umbrellas! A quiet exit was call for and cowards that we are, we took it!

My favorite costume? The Korean Princess in authentic garb. Although the Texan in the western hat and boots came close.

The families of Inwood will go through a lot to have safe quality time with and for their children. Physical comfort for them or their children is not primary as the kids don't seem to care. It was with couriousity that I watched the parent wriggle these kids out of wet coats and boots and put on dry wings or capes finishing off costumes both seemed extreemly proud of.

I was at the wet clothes dump area. Through observation I learned what many of you parents have known for many Halloweens. The costume didn't matter--the fact that the parent and child did it together did.

For a milisecond, the child looked at the parent for permission, not to go play but to show the world what they had built together--then go play!

Now I know that Halloween has a deep meaning to parents as well as exciting anticipation for the child.  There is that millisecond bonding that they are both aware of that joins them together against the world. How many bonding seconds are there between parents and offspring?


I'm going to start looking.