It’s a stunningly beautiful autumn day. (Tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to be even better!) There is something in the air that suggests possibility and reminds me of why I love living here. Of course, this meant we headed out for our usual stroll along the riverfront which takes on new meaning now that we have Sophie with us. If you live in the area–I highly recommend one last hurrah, because I have a feeling that Astoria Mung is right–this beauty is quickly coming to an end for the year.
While you’re out this weekend, here are a few other possibilities you should consider:
- The Blue Scorcher Bakery and Cafe has finally opened. As Joe told me today, it was a “quiet” opening, so “shhh… spread the word!” For all of you who are missing your bread fix from the Sunday Market, this is your opportunity to stock up. The Co-Op still carries the loaves, but the Cafe is worth a visit just for the ambiance. While you’re there sample some of their great organic pastry or hearty soup. Good for the soul on these rainy days. Located in the Historic Fort George building, they are open Thurs-Sun till 4. So, stop by and tell them I sent you! (They also have free wireless—so, you have NO excuse! Now GO!)
- If you are looking for all things good for mind, body, and soul Astoria has a new bookstore dedicated to just such a reality. Healing Haven, located at 433 13th Street is the new endeavor from the lovely Jane Holland. Jane has been busy stocking her store with all things healing–so, go take a peak. She is also open to suggestions for new titles or old classics you think she should stock and has a growing selection of used books. In addition, she carries a wide range of CDs for meditation, candles, incense, and other goodies worth perusing. Drop by and say “hi!”–and tell a friend.
- In case you have NOTHING better to do this weekend, consider taking in this week’s Sunday Sermon, LIVE. That’s right— I’m suggesting you go to Church! Why? Because, I will be preaching at the First United Methodist Church 22 October at 11 am. We are a “Come as you are” congregation and children are welcome! If you’re local—I hope to see all your shining faces!
This will be ONE Sunday I’ll be absolutely happy to be in church! As for the Blue Scorcher – they *do* make lovely bread. Looking forward to a bit of Bolognese, some Blue Scorcher bread, some red wine, a fantastic fire… wait for it… and some good Sci-Fi… 😉
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It was nice to have an intergalactic nap with a fire roaring. :)Â Glad you will be in my corner on Sunday. 🙂 ~W
I want to come back to your town; it holds many fond memories of our trip down the coast. You are doing the sermon–way to go!! What will you talk about?
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You should, Margaret! I’d love to have you–we could kick back on my deck, take in the view, and I’ll even throw in a Hef!
As for the sermon–I’m preaching on the first chapter of Jonah. My thesis is that God is extremely creative and that our call is to look around and NOTICE that creativity and then join in! 
(I argue that God throws the storm at Jonah as an act of creativity and NOT an act of punishment) ~Wen
Go Joe and Iris!
Go Wende!
As the plants are dying back for fall, many locals are blooming!
I’d go, but you’d never hear the sermon over my screeching children. Did I mention Ben has found the full power of his lungs???? Heaven help us!
In other news, Tom has decided that Maddie should do church and after one visit to St. Mary’s and her first Reconciliation class, she’s absolutely smitten. Church is the new black around here with her. I’ve always said it was their choice, so it looks like she’s going to be learning about the One True Church. Heh.
Princess came in after mass and Maddie’s class. I asked her, “How was church?” She said, as she ripped off her fancy dress:
“Fine. Too wong.” And went right to her room.
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You’re off the hook!
ROFL at Abby’s response to church. 🙂
Man, I wish I could hear your sermon on Sunday!
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Heh… I could use my own cheering section. ~Wen
i wish i still lived near berkeley. i wish i lived in a place that had good co-op stuff. i wish i had even an ounce of free time. and i wish i could be there for your sermon. maybe it would inspire me for two weeks from now.
*sigh* i do wish my life were different now. ah, welll.
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ME TOO! On all of the above. Although, the sermon is average, so you aren’t missing much. Just nice to know you want to be there. Heh. ~Wen
I wish I was a local! I am tired of hearing the fear-mongering brand of sermons, so I haven’t been attending. Hey thanks for putting that URL in your comment. I love that Progressive site! Wow…there are others…and they aren’t even all Quakers.
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Michelle, I’m glad that didn’t offend… I never know. I had to HOLD MYSELF BACK from ranting (again) in your comment section. 🙂 But, you defend the faith so well, there is no point in my cheapening it with my ire. I’m attempting to hang on to that title as long as I possibly can, mostly because I’m TIRED of people lumping every Christian into the same boat on their blogs. YES I get that MANY Christians are preaching hate and violence–but not ALL of us! 🙂 As for the sermon, I wish you were here too–I’d love to have my own little section of people. (Not to mention just hanging out with you on any old day!) But, I’m going to imagine all my Internet friends are there in spirit! ~Wen
Yeah. I actually thought about being a Quaker just because I was looking for something that I could point to that allowed me to have science and reason with my religion. Progressive Christianity does this. I can understand that most of the bible stories are just that – stories – and STILL have a space for what God is trying to say to me. It is sufficient that the LIFE of Christ was a great example of how to live and I want to model my life after that path – but that in no way diminishes the beliefs of others in equally compelling paths such as Buddhism.
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I’m so getting a t-shirt that says, “Jesus is not the only way. But he is the way for me.” After graduation, of course. In Latin, perhaps. So I can wear it to church and consider myself subversive. Heh. ~W
I’m sure I don’t have it quite parsed as perfectly as it could be – because, well, I’m no Latin scholar… but something akin to “Jesu haud unicus modus autem is ecce ob meum.”
my two cents are that link is actually http://astoria.mung.net/index.php/2006/10/14/go-blue-scorcher-go/ for your readers
Fall does seem to be whizzing by this year. The trees around here have already lost half their leaves!
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I hear you! Before you know it, it’s going to be Winter. S i g h ~wen
OK OK OK tell me you have your sermon on tape or cd…or something. And pic of the church bill board….oh thats freakying Awesome Wendy. Oh…and great TITLE… So can I hear this sermon…please!!! You have to have it …right? Or sermon transcript…. or notes…ill receive what ever you or want to give.
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Yeah, I didn’t tape it. But I have a preaching transcript you can read. It’s about as close to the actual text of my sermon as you can get. I’ll email it to you. 🙂 ~Wen
Mark, I have to say… the sermon was FANTASTIC. Wende nailed it. Some of the folks LOVED it and others… well, they were squirming. Was fun to see – especially since they haven’t been asked to squirm in their seats for a long time. I wish I had recorded it. Was hilarious – every time Wende called God “She” or “Her” – there were some audible huffs and puffs…