Cub Scouts

I'm so bugged with myself as to how few and far between my posts have been....nothing exciting has been happening here except scouting stuff and how many times can I post about scouting without getting totally bored!!! :) Our pack had Rain Gutter Regatta for pack meeting this week - the boys had a great time building their boats at home and racing them.

Aren't these boys just the cutest boys EVER!!! I love them all so much. I especially love when thy run to give me hugs everytime they see me:) I LOVE that.

The boats are "wind" powerered and the boys blow them down the little racing gutter. I was really surprised at how frustrated some of the boys got. I think we had more tears for this activity then we even have at Pinewood Derby!! But I think all in all the boys had fun and enjoyed the evening.

'Burque

I love my little adopted hometown of Albuquerque. I pretty much consider myself a native though since I've lived here since December 1986 with only two brief stints back to Silverdale for 8 months and to Washington DC for six months.

I was reminded this morning on my drive to work some of the reasons I love Burque so much. (and you have to pronounce right - it's not Bur-key - it's Burrrrr-kay). I like to just say ABQ:)

Anyway -

- Driving to work I spied a darling coyote in an arroyo - PS this is not the actual coyote, just a random picture of a coyote:)



- I spied a cute little old man walking in sweat pants with his dress shirt tucked in to his sweatpants.

- And a police car setting the pace on a road where everyone normally goes 60-65 mph - the actual speed limit is 45 mph - we as a bunch of colelctive commuters slowed to 45 mph until Mr. Cop passed us all and then we kept pace with him at 60 mph:) Gotta love those cops - and our unity as commuters:)

Fall in New Mexico is the best too - the smell of roasting green chile in the air, chilly mornings and warm afternoons and hot air balloons every where you look. The official Balloon Fiesta starts next week and I CAN'T WAIT!!! My sista Ryalin is coming for the weekend and my brother Ian might make it down too:):) FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!

Reflections on 9-11

I was in the mountains at the second weekend of my Wood Badge training on September 11. I can't tell you how moving it was to be outside, seeing the flag raised and then lowered to half mast and participating in a inner-faith worship service on this sacred day. 5 of us scouters were in charge of the inner-faith worship service and this is the reading that I chose to share. It comes from a Jewish reading/prayer written for 9-11.

Source of Life, Creator of all flesh,

From out of the depths we call unto you,
Protect us from the hand of all our enemies.
Comfort Your children who now stand alone
Without parent or brother or sister or child.

Strengthen us to stand with those orphaned by this attack on our country,
This country, our country, shelter of peace to the downtrodden,
Which has gathered in millions of the peoples of the world
Stands as a beacon of light and justice,
But today is dimmed with horror and tragedy.

New York and Washington, shining cities,
Diminished like Jerusalem after the destruction of the holy Temple,

Need Your comfort, and our aid;
Help us to maintain our courage and our efforts to support our people.

Strengthen the hands of those who depend this country,
And those who try to maintain peace against these attacks.
Teach us to speak to our children
with love and support and courage and understanding,
for we are all fearful, although their fears may not be our fears.

Gain for us a heart of wisdom,
That we may act out of compassion and thoughtfulness,
And not out of anger or prejudice.

Accept with mercy our prayers for our country and
Its government, for its president, judges, officials and
institutions who faithfully toil for the good of our country.

May they, with Your guidance, lead us back to lives
Of peace in a land we have come to love.

Adore

I abosutely adore Gwyneth Paltrow - there's just something about her that makes me think that if I was rich and famous and a celebrity we would be the best of friends:) If you don't subscribe to her newsletter you are missing out. She shares fabulous details from her life and features things to see, be, do, make and buy. Now I only need a million dollars so I can "do" and "buy" all the things she recommends.

This weekend is my second weekend of Wood Badge - I'm really excited about it but I'm also looking forward to finishing it up. I miss blogging, crafting, sewing and doing all my normal life things. I need to get back into my groove which I completely lost over the summer. So hopefully good things to come soon!!