cta

image copyright: nellis, 2003

story board

Todd's Requiem by Heather Cornwell

Did the pain go away
Did the voices in your head
Go from danger and darkness
To hope and light instead
Do you finally see how beautiful you are
Is there music where you are

I bet there's music where you are
I bet you're banging out a rhythm on your old guitar
I bet the angels rushed to take you in their arms
I bet there's music where you are

Do you know you're loved
Are you surrounded by
Peace and love and laughter
And no more asking why
Is the great big heaven filled with bright shining stars
Is there music where you are

I bet there's music where you are
I bet you're banging out a rhythm on your old guitar
I bet the angels couldn't wait to take you in their arms
I bet there's music where you are

When the world around you seemed a mess
It couldn't take your humor and for that we were blessed
I bet you're entertaining up among the stars
And I bet there's music where you are

I bet there's music where you are
I bet you're banging out a rhythm on your old guitar
I bet the angels have you in their arms
I bet there's music where you are
I bet there's laughter where you are
I know there's peace where you are

in loving memory of todd

image copyright: nellis, 11/17/05

midnight offerings

image copyright: nellis, 2005.

blog-widow

last night chris called me asking for pointers on how to mess with the template on his blog. we were talking about all the different things you can do and how much time you can waste and how it's become some what more than just the intended "creative outlet" for me (blog-addict) and finally my wife said she felt bad for angela. she leaned close to the phone and said, "another blog-widow." this is a tribute to ruth- for her gracious and witty voice in my life.

solidarity with the "other"

tomorrow: nov. 11th, two minutes of silence.

trying too hard

if you live in the seattle area, you've probably seen these posters on the sides of buses. the image is startling and immediately gets your attention... until you turn your head, disgusted and confused. at least that was my experience when i first saw the billboard of a sort-of-cute, sort-of-creepy, wide-eyed little doll eating a dead rat with blood all over her face. the tag-line? "kissing a smoker is just as gross." what?!









i guess i'm just not making the connection between the two categories. but, having never kissed someone that eats rotting animals, i'll just take their word for it. for more grossness, go here (not recommended).

art works

it's always nice when a home-town boy makes the big news:
Every year, The Right Livelihood Award Foundation recognizes the work of groups and individuals, whose actions become “a holistic response to community needs and often entail personal sacrifice whilst being opposed by powerful forces around them.” This year, the award went to Oaxacan painter Francisco Toledo “... for devoting himself and his art to the protection, enhancement and renewal of the architectural and cultural heritage, natural environment and community life of his native Oaxaca.”
- from The Oaxaca Times, 11/07/05.
read the full article here.

magical

"Boys come in assorted sizes, weights and colors. They are found everywhere- on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Wisdom with bubblegum in its hair and Hope... with a frog in its pocket." - alan beck 1949

limelight

the kids knew
the calling was clear
the pressure was on
we are needed here

careful, everyone’s watching
don’t drop the ball
we don’t care who you are
or what you’re going through

we walk in the light and it’s bright

they gave us the power to sink the ship
wouldn’t want to live with that shame
they told us that grace was good
we all hoped we wouldn’t have to need it

a poem for mk's, pk's and anyone who grew up with parents in ministry...