21 December 2007

incarnation

A byproduct of having taken the SAT, ACT and the GRE at various points in time (and actually having prepared for one of the three) is that some latin word roots are etched into my brain and pop up with their definitition like a parenthentical note when I see them. Two examples: "mal" = bad as in malevolent, malicious; "bene" = good as in benefit, benefactor. (You don't really want to know many more details about how my brain works.)

"Carne" (or is it officially "carn"?) is another one -- meat as in carnivore or chili con carne. And my favorite use of it is in the word "incarnation." It's a theological concept that really just sends shivers down my spine or chokes me up a bit, depending on the day. It's what I really love thinking about and celebrating at Christmas. The Incarnation. Giving something meat. Specifically, God giving Himself physical meat to walk with us on this earth so we could get a picture of something we have so much trouble understanding - who He truly is. How fantastic is that? I actually really like the fact that at the same time I see the word "incarnation" the words "carnivore" and "chili con carne" jump into my head because they keep the meaning so literal. God with meat. That's how real He is.

10 December 2007

oregon christmas requirement

When I first moved to Oregon 12 years ago, I was on a "limited income" so to speak. Anyway, as Christmas approached and the 4 of us who lived together were discussing Christmas decorating plans for our apartment, I made the comment,"Well, we don't need to get a Christmas tree." To which they all promptly replied, "What?!" in a mix of shock and bewilderment. My next line was even better: "Well, they're really expensive." We sorted out a little bit of what I expected a tree to cost ($80 or so for a real one), and then they said, "Shelly, this is OREGON. Trees don't cost $80." I conceded in the matter and actually picked up a tree for us from school -- $15.

I do enjoy the whole real Christmas tree thing, but I'm still pretty clueless about tree details that Oregonians have distinct opinions about. I think native northwesterners who move to other parts of the country or world must experience more than a little shock when they discover how unique their tree experience is. Other people just don't drive past Christmas tree farms on a daily basis.

In our 4 christmas tree seasons since getting married, we have yet to actually purchase a tree. We won free trees in drawings the first two, didn't bother because we'd be out of town last year, and were kindly invited to help ourselves to one off someone's property this year. I have to say, they've all been beautiful trees - lush, fragrant, dark green. It is a pretty fantastic treat.

I'm adding some pictures of the farm we got ours from for those of you who don't know the experience. We cut ours down last Sunday. Nia joined us in the truck (small space, two people, big dog - it's pretty comical), and it was pouring rain. Sadly, while we happily collected a tree in the pouring rain, the same storm was flooding the Oregon Coast. (FYI the last picture features a silhouette of Nia's head - John thinks she was pretty excited to check out the tree)