Where We Go This Summer!!

Hi everyone! I, Linda, have been looking into a place to get together in summer 2009. There are several places in IL, but I've decided on going back to Lake Geneva, WI. I found out that Chapin cottage where we had stayed is taken for July 2--4, so have found another bigger cabin called Magill. It is white, and is right across the street from the administration building. Some of you might have rented sports equipment from the admin. building, but I know I did not notice what building was across the street. Anyway, I've asked for a contract to be sent and I'll forward the downpayment ahead so it can be reserved. for July 3, 4, and breakfast and lunch on the 5th we can stay for a total of $ 99.00. I tho't that was good. We will not have any meals on Fri., July 3rd. We Leiningers in Chicago thought we'd go out to eat in Williams Bay. Hope those 3 days are good for everyone. Once again we will celebrate Karl's birthday, and I'm open to suggestions for games or projects, Ken, would you bring any games you love? Gladys, there is access to the outdoors from each room on the 1st floor. The man I talked to by phone said each room has a bathroom, and tho' there is a "lip" to get into the rooms, they are handicap-accessible. I'm getting excited!! To let you all know, the Mowafi clan will not be with us, they are taking a family vacation in the summer of 2009. If they can come, Amer and all, we sure will make room for them. We sure will miss Laila and Abdullah, and Lisa and Amer, if you can't come.

If you want to, email me at ldenberry@yahoo.com and I'll count up who is coming, and if it will be for less than the July 3, 4, & 5th dates. Miles, do you think Janet can come? Hope so. Marli, let me know about the guest you might bring. I will need first and last names, so Conference Point has a record.

I'm still volunteering at the Prestytery office, liking it less and less. Even though I can listen to the radio while I work (usually really enjoying Chicago Public Radio) I find the job repetetive, and not challenging. My intellect deserves more than just scanning then writing the label on each document I scan. That is what I do for 6 hrs each day I go in, and I just go 2 days a week. Otherwise my life is going well.

Dad and I do things during the week and sometimes on weekends, Connie joins us. Last movie we all saw was "Milk" about a community official, last name Milk, who was gay. He was open about the gayness, and stood up for the gays in San Francisco. He was elected into office, and was doing well and well liked, and tragically someone who did not like him, shot him. It's a true story, and he is a martyr for the gays and transgender people all over the U.S. I thought the movie was full of action, and the lead actor, Sean Penn, was great.

Dad and I went to the Unitarian Church in Hyde Park this afternoon (saturday), and were part of the audience listening to a panel about Homelessness and the current economic downturn, what we can expect. I learned a lot, like a lot of homes that are being foreclosed are rentals. the homeowners are renting them out to 2 to 4 families, and then when the foreclosure happens, these families have no choice but to look for another place to live or maybe be homeless. There were 3 in the panel. One man, who led the whole discussion, like a moderator, put out a suggestion that he wanted the panelists to comment on: what if the banks that have foreclosed homes on their hands make sure the homes are livable, and sell them so they can be used for low income housing. This would take care of more than one problem at once. The panelists agreed this was a good idea, plus they had more comments, which I don't remember now. I'm glad I went.

We're looking for what the new governor, Patrick Quinn, will be like. 4 out of the past 8 governors of IL are either in prison or will be put in prison. This is not a good track record. Also IL is in debt in the amout of $ 4 billion---just terrible, and we need good, respectable people to be in government positions here. Staring in January 09, Illinois state officials cannot take campaign money to get people into positions or jobs they want, sometimes called "pay to play" policies. They can get donations from corporations or individuals as gifts, without attachments.

Remember to email me about the time you will arrive and how many people you are bringing. Looks like there won't be anyone under 16 at this gathering. I heard that the contract includes a "no bikinis" rule. Wear your tank suits, I guess.

Dad is preparing a sermon to be preached at a Filipino church tomorrow. Wish I could go along, but I have duties at the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church. Til next mail, I remain yours truly,
Linda

Books I really like

Hi Steve,

I have been reading a lot lately. I have a book club I go to once a month and a mother daughter one with Laila that's three months old now. But, I won't recommend any of the book club books of late (well Laila and I read To Kill a Mockingbird which I read so long ago that it seemed new and it was amazing).

I LOVE
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
One Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
Any of the Roald Dahl books that are for adults

Also, I'm reading books by David Sedaris now borrowed from a friend and they are hilarious.

Hope you had a great weekend everyone!

Lisa, Amman

Hello, family!

I'm almost half way through January and I'm still enjoying the illusion that something is going to change this year.  I think one novel thing I could do would be to read a book.  I don't think I've read a book from cover to cover in years.  Books of poetry - yes.  Children's books in Spanish - of course. Linda gave me a book for Thanksgiving called Three Cups of Tea -- an excellent biographical true story. What are your favourite novels, biographies, or journalistic books?  I read one book about three years ago called Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser, which explored three of my favourite topics:  Marijuana, Illegal immigration, and porn --  An excellent set of investigations and commentary.

I think I'm going to be doing more with poetry and song writing this year.  I also need to work as much as I can so I can go to Mexico this summer and also do the family thing.  Will we be going to Conference Point again, or shall we try some other spot?  I've been doing quite a bit of work for my friends Linda and Phoebe, but I need to look for other avenues as well. I work about 32 hours a week at the hardware store and I'm grateful for that.  

I'm looking for new housemates.  Will and Caitlin left pretty much on schedule and I told Elizabeth she could stay until February.  Here is a selection from Chinese Poems, a book I've read before and have been reviewing again:

On The Way To Hangchow:  Anchored On the River At Night

Little sleeping and much grieving -- the traveller
Rises at midnight and looks back towards home.
the sands are bright with moonlight that joins the shores;
The sail is white with dew that has covered the boat.
Nearing the sea, the river grows broader and broader.
Approaching autumn -- the nights longer and longer.
Thirty times we have slept amid mists and waves,
And still we have not reached Hangchow.

-- Po Chu I, a prolific writer who lived in the early 800s.

Hi All!

Hello everyone! We just came back from a trip to Thailand which was great. We spent three days in Bangkok where we hung out with my friend Pam, who used to live in Jordan, and her family. They've lived in Bangkok for three years and were good tour guides. These are pictures from a Wat or Temple with the huge resting Buda. The third picture got included and I can't get it to go away so you can see some Thai folks :) After Bangkok we went to a small island called Koh Chang. We drove there from B which took about 5 hours including a ferry ride over there. It's really close to Cambodia if you find it on the map. We had so much fun at the beach - warm water is great. We rode elephants in the forest and went to the treetop adventure place which had long zip lines up in the tall rubber trees. That was really cool. I'll post some pictures of the island when I get them on the computer.

Tomorrow is back to school for the kids and study time for Laila who will have exams the following week and a half. Ugh - such a stressfull time that makes me want to go home where school doesn't get hard until much later.

Happy New Year to you all and look forward to hearing what you are all up to this month. Good luck to Miles as school starts again. How cool is Andrea - Nepal sounds awesome!

Love,
Lisa, Amman

Hey, y'all

Hi friends, and happy new year!

It's 2009, can we remember to write it on our checks? People over 50 are allowed to forget more often because the years run faster for us.

A "new" "year" is of course totally made up, a construct that we consider "REAL" because so many people go along with it. Every day and even within a day, we have the chance to choose how and who we are going to be. We have the chance to reinvent ourselves, as they say. (I read a piece about that today. I will send it to you if you ask me.)

I am so fortunate to have you in my family, and I want you to know that I love and appreciate you, each one. One resolution for me is to write or speak with you more often.

From Christmas Eve day through January 4, I have not gone to work at the jail. I think the Correctional officers are really jealous. Of course some of them had to work on Christmas and all the holidays, just like nurses. I have been busy being a host and tour guide to our guests, one from Saudi Arabia and the other from South Korea. We have had good conversations and meals at homestyle restaurants from both countries. We went to Muslim prayers, funky Lutheran (with swingin' songs), not so traditional Christmas Eve at Morgan Park Pres, and 3 hours at Trinity UCC, Obama's former congregation. Great music. Decent sermon. Long examination, two or three questions to each (yes, in the service) of 12 deacons being ordained.

We have had all the weather you could have in Chicago except summer. Bitter cold, snow storm, sleet, cold and clear, 40-50 degrees, rain. When they came, the landscape was covered with snow, but now the grass is totally visible.

On Jan 12, I plan to go to a writing workshop. I need to write something for the teacher to critique. So I plan to reflect on my life in the past year. A non-blog blog, I would say.

We had a full house on Christmas and we watched fireworks down by the lakfront on a very chilly NEw Year's Eve. It was fun.

More eating scheduled for today. At a home with so much Christmas decor, it could be a museum of American Christmas decorations. The goodbye party for the International Students we have had in our homes for 2 weeks. :) :( Like any other good thing, sad for it to end, ready for life to be more routine and normal.

God's blessings continue for all of you. We are so blessed with health, intelligence, opportunity and basic needs of life. I ask that the Creator guide my steps, embolden me to be Connie untrammeled (!) and serve in the world with joy. I ask God for that for you too. ONly not to be CONNIE, rather to be ANdrea, Trale, Becky and Stephen, etc.

LOVE

CONNIE