about how grown-up life kicks butt

in the past week and a half of life I have: 

spent a weekend by the bay laughing and playing fish bowl and having meaningful conversation with some of the most wonderful people on the planet.  Spotted a Matt Damon lookalike at a German BBQ restaurant in the city.  Learned about how brokenness leads to worship with my community group and really felt how it was true.  Enjoyed three fall dinner parties in warm homes with good friends.  Tried not to get killed during nerf gun wars in my office.  Wore an eyepatch fashioned out of stickers and headphones for an entire day of work (unrelated to the nerf gun war). Filled my basement with folks to sing worship songs and lift prayers. Told ghost stories and ate s'mores with nutella around a bonfire. Worked on an urban farm on a gorgeous fall Saturday morning. Danced with three-year-olds screaming "MY GOD IS BIG, SO STRONG AND SO MIGHTY!"  Feasted on a brunch fit for the gods with some good company.  Had dear pals from Greene county over for dinner.  Been thankful for so much goodness if feels like I'm overflowing.

about the earth and the seasons

written after gardening with the Neighborhood Farm Initiative 

Winter-ready

We tear up the basil and thyme
From their soil homes

And leave holes that catch cold like breath.

After this our handfuls
Of crop-cover seeds spill

From our fingers
As we tuck-in the earth.

Everything here is dead or dying
as it gets winter-ready

Putting itself to bed
With ubiquitous oranges and the scent

Of mums in chilled air.
It will wait more than just one season

To fill with life again;
It will count losses for a few months

And with little prayers
I wish it luck -

Lonely and dark dreams
That will burst one day

With a new joy and light.