Not flowers,
not real,
but purple, and cute,
just the same.
14 September 2014
Louisville, KY
Category Archives: Louisville
Purple pandas, Louisville Zoo
Filed under Louisville, Photo
Homes
Thoughts of home have filled my last few days.
Or perhaps I should say thoughts about the many homes I know.
A video showing clips of movies filmed in Pittsburgh and a photo posted by my friend Mihee Kim-Kort about her family’s recent road trip, reminded me of the home where I grew: Neville Island.
I realized that no matter how much I like New York, where I now live; no matter how much I like Louisville where I spent ten years and where I make many trips for work; no matter how much I like Cleveland Heights where Tricia lives now and we raised our family; no matter how much, and most days how much means a great deal, I will always, always, always bleed black and gold.
But this week also saw our ministry host a group from First Presbyterian Church of Albuquerque, New Mexico. And in our conversations I found myself longing for Ghost Ranch and Northern New Mexico, the home of my soul, the place where, every time I visit, I know I belong in a way like I belong in no other place on the planet.
Home of my childhood.
Home of my family.
Home of transition.
Home of the present.
Home of my soul.
All precious places. All blur together.
I give thanks for my homes and I pray and work for the day when all people have a safe place to call home.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Louisville, New York
Purple flowers, 4th Avenue, Louisville
Striped caterpillars?
Wings?
25 April 2014
Louisville, Kentucky
Filed under Louisville, Photo
Measuring
We may measure our days in
minutes, hours, or
other units of times.
How we fill those minutes, hours, or
other units of time
also measures our days.
We may measure our lives in
months, years, or
other units of time.
What we do during those months, years, or
other units of time
also measures our lives.
28 August 2013
Louisville, Kentucky
Filed under Louisville, Poem, Travel
My hero’s bat
When the hotel fitness center closed early,I took to the streets of Louisville for exercise.
On Main Street,
I trailed the Walk of Fame.
I sought,
and found
my childhood hero.
Recuerdo Roberto.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Baseball, Louisville, Photo
Staking my claim
Today brought the easiest, smoothest trip I have had in a long, long time.
I travel quite a bit – not as much as some – but more than most. I write about my travel at times.
I have had some issues when I travel. I admit they pale in comparison to those faced by my friends Nancy and Sung Yeon to whom I extend condolences. But anyone who travels as often as I do will have some issues. They happen.
When they happen, I usually whine. Loudly. Widely. Boldly.
And when things go well, I admit that, too.
I figure saying nice things about good travel grants me the privilege to whine. Loudly. Widely. Boldly. No logic supports that thinking, but it works for me.
Today’s travel began in Louisville. My last meeting was a consultation between the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
I checked in for my flight, cleared security, and began to search for something to eat. At the restaurant, I met my friends in the Korean delegation at the airport and had another really good conversation with them. We hugged before they boarded their plane. It left first.
Then my flight departed on time. A smooth flight with amazing views. It arrived early – thirty minutes early – at LaGuardia. My bag appeared as the second bag on the carousel at baggage claim. I literally walked out the door and into a cab. The ride home was simple.
Would that travel could be like that for all of us every time. I know it will not. And now that I have given thanks for today’s trip, I have staked out my claim to whine away when things go wrong.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Friends, Louisville, New York, Photo, Travel
Photo at last
We met in Jamaica at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation. The Rev. Dr. Hyunju Bae visited New York on her way back to the Republic of Korea. We had a wonderful conversation at my office. She asked if I would be willing to visit Korea some time and speak about why the church engages in ministry on the public square. After conversations with the appropriate people within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I made a wonderful journey. I spoke in several places, made a number of friends, ate some amazing food, finally learned to eat with chopsticks, and took many photos. I got several photos of myself and the Rev. Dr. JC Lee, Dr. Bae’s husband and my guide. But the only photo I have of myself and Dr. Bae is from one time when she interpreted one of my presentations.
When I left Korea, we talked about Dr. Bae coming to Louisville for a consultation between the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I mentioned that I would be in Louisville at the same time for another meeting. Perhaps I could find her, I suggested.
Life moved on, as life has a way of doing. And a couple weeks ago, I received an invitation to take part in the consultation. I managed to change my schedule and attend. As a result, with help from my friend, and new work colleague, Shannon Parks Beck, I now have a photo of the Rev. Dr. Hyunju Bae and myself. I look forward to the next time we are together.
See you along the Trail.
Winter is coming, but …
13 April 2013. I am back in Louisville for meetings. Apparently something happened to the seasons while I was gone. Isn’t winter a while away?
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Louisville
Now that the Shire has sold
Now that the Shire has sold,
concern,
frustration, and
anger melt as icicles in winter sun.
Warm,
bright,
life-giving memory
washes over me as summer sun.
Moments fill my heart,
people, beloved people, dance across my soul.
Sadness dissipates.
Joy suffuses.
And I know
it was good.
It is good.
10 April 2013
DL 4065
Filed under Louisville
Heading back for the first time
Soon I will begin one of my favorite pastimes. I will do the laundry.
When I finish, I will pack some of the recently laundered clothes and some others. The Trail beckons again.
This time it will lead me back to Louisville. I have gone there often. Each trip is unique. This one will certainly be.
I will not stay at the Shire. This condo served as home and haven from 2003. Many friends stayed there with me through the years. Since moving to New York, my wife and I have tried to sell the Shire. Earlier this year we succeeded.
Until the sale, I usually stayed at the Shire at least for part of the time when in Louisville. Once or twice, I stayed in a hotel for the sake of attending a meeting. Now I will stay in a hotel for the whole time period. And that will happen every time.
The world turns. Life changes. We go on.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Louisville, Travel
Along the Graybeard Trail 