It's no secret -I'm an NPR Junkie. I listen to it at work, home, and especially in the car. Since I don't find time to do a whole lot of extra reading - NPR is a way to keep up-to-date on current events that goes down smooth. (It's like drinking orange juice vs. taking the time to peel and eat one.) Yesterday I had a conversation with a colleague (Mike) and we both agreed that unlike sports radio which always has the predictable mix of pseudo-experts and idiot call-ins, and Mainstream FM which has the same 4 songs in a loop; you never know what you're going to hear when you put the key in the ignition and fire-off the radio. One day it's some feminist yelling about the grave injustices she encounters at the supermarket, and another day it's the most enlightening conversation about the ridiculous state of our economy. If variety is the spice of life - NPR may just burn the roof of your mouth off if you tune in at the right time. 

'Makes me think about radio in general. Many people thought that TV would indeed kill the radio star, but it didn't. I think that radio is one of the rare electronic mediums that allows a person to actually utilize more of their brain while listening than otherwise. In many ways - one can encounter a fairly accurate cross-section of the population by listening to the many news-related shows: from raging liberal (which happens more often than necessary) to ultra conservative (not including, of course, the ones who just turn their radio off.) I often find myself yelling at the radio or laughing out loud so something I heard - much to the confusion of those I share the road with.

If you happen to have a chance - check out NPR. The news is far better than any other news outlet, the content is usually safe for the family, and if you're lucky, you'll have station near you that airs Prairie Home Companion.

Real quick note -

I'm headed to the wonderful town of Chattanooga, TN for my vicarage. Woo!

 There are very few things which I wrote in my undergraduate career that I would let out into the sunlight - but I came across one that has haunted me ever since I wrote it. There may be more posts regarding this topic - but until then, Enjoy.

April 14, 2004 

Fireflies & Compline

CreEeEek. “Hmph. Should really oil that.” Eli utters as he firmly closes the worn wooden screen door exiting his house. He smirks. “Must have said that a hundred times.” Standing tall with his hands on his hips, he inhales deeply and exhales with a slight chuckle. As Eli inspects his yard, he sees an average lawn – mostly green but with an abundance of brown semi-dry blades, dulling what would be a lush green. “Kinda reminds me of something.” as he runs his fingers through his trim graying head of hair before sliding on his cap. After slowly stooping down to tighten the knots on his worn leather shoes, he starts to slowly make his way down the short driveway to the sidewalk. Turning right, Eli passes a neatly trimmed row of arborvitae trees that divide his property and his neighbors. His neighbor is standing leisurely out in his yard spraying water on his lawn by pressing his thumb against the metal mouth of the long garden hose. Eli gestures an outward motion with his hand from his forehead which is returned with a slight wave and a grin. “How’s the go goin’ Dick?” “It’s goin’ Eli, it’s goin.” “Good, Good.” Eli responds as he strolls further down the street. 

The golden color of the sky and the canopy of elms covering the road distracts Eli from the now laborious work of walking. As Eli carefully crosses the quiet street after the first block, he continues straight ahead, noticing only the sound of his footsteps and the clicking and hissing of sprinklers, with an occasional warm damp breeze carrying the vaporous spray past his nose. A smirk grows on his face as he sees a little boy about 5 years of age busily guiding water from a puddle through different channels in the sand. As Eli approaches – the little boy sees him and quickly stands up letting the plastic shovel fall out of his hands. A look of glee covers the boy’s face as he jumps out of the wooden frame of his sandbox and runs toward Eli while half-trying to wipe the dampened sand off from knees. Eli kneels on the dry cool grass with arms open wide and accepts the running embrace of the elated young boy. After a good squeeze, he glances up to the white ranch style home and sees the boy’s mother in the window as she grins, shakes her head and waves. Eli winks at her, releases the boy from his embrace and remains kneeling in front of him – “Have you been good for your mom?” “Yea Eli, I helped her dry the dishes after supper.” “Oh…” Eli replies while half glancing at the house again noticing the mother with a dish towel drying off a dinner plate still smiling “…good for you!” Eli raises his eyebrows and gives an obvious downward glance into his left shirt pocket – expecting the boy to notice. The boy’s eyes widened and his mouth drew inward – then after a split second his eyebrows shot up and a large smile covered his face as he reached his little hand into Eli’s shirt pocket to pull out a piece of cellophane-wrapped candy. “Thanks Eli!” “You be good for your mom– ok?” “Yea!” After one more quick embrace, Eli rose to his feet gestured the same forehead-out wave to the mom in the window – who replied with another wave. The boy galloped off back to his sandbox and Eli resumed his relaxed pace down the street – returning one more wave from the boy again busy in his sandbox.

The sky is now ablaze with vivid orange magenta and red with clouds billowing across the horizon. The street below the elm canopy is growing darker, and cooler. Eli not really watching the path in front of him lifts the his cuff to see his watch. “A quarter to 9 already!” After deciding to walk one more block, Eli quickens his pace slightly. When he reaches the crosswalk, he looks to his left, then to his right, pauses for a squeaky bicycle to pass, then crosses the street. With another left, Eli is now facing the palette of reds blues and oranges blurring together in the sky in front of him, Eli’s face is aglow with the reddish hue. A smile covers his face as he quietly hums to himself the tune of a familiar liturgy. Now about a block away from his home, Eli removes his cap, lifts head a bit higher and opens his mouth. “O Lord, support me all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever is over, and my work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant me a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last; In the name of Jesus, Amen.” As the ‘amen’ rings through his mind, the first star of the evening is now visible ahead slightly to the left through the silhouetted elm boughs– twinkling with the deep purple remains of the sunset in it’s background.

Eli, now in-front of his house, replaces his cap, steps over the patch of grass – down the curb - crosses the blacktop paved street and walks up his drive way – feet starting to tire.  Eli approaches the side of his house, grasps  the handle of the old wooden screen door and pulls it ajar - CreEeeEek. Before stepping in, he removes cap, turns the knob on the unlocked door, glances at the sky, smirks, and pulls the screen door shut behind him. “Really should oil that.” he mutters as he gently closes the interior 4 pane door. The chatter of sprinklers continues – now contested by crickets – and more stars start to appear with an occasional firefly blinking in the dark corners of the yard. A yellow light flips on in the large picture-window in front of Eli’s house and he glances outside one last time before drawing the curtains.

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: 

for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

- Psalm 4:8 -