The Day the YouTubes Died!

www.renettoreviews.com

Broken

I had forgotten how good it feels to be broken. Truly broken, as if you have to be careful not to drop pieces of yourself as you talk with people, or work, or even sleep...if sleep is possible. I'm not a masochist- I just know this won't last forever, and I can't wait to meet who God fixes me up to be. I was on a trip this weekend to Chicago with a friend and had some of the most delicious conversations. (And anyone who knows me knows that I can survive on delicious artichokes, Fresca, and conversations alone...) Suffice it to say, a lot of things were solidified in my mind, and a similar number of things were blown through with holes...often simultaneously.

I am going to make it a point to revol in this feeling- as if anything will set me crying, or laughing, or wanting to drop everyhing and change my life completely. It's a remarkably unstable place to be and for those who know me and my Highlighters of Many Colors, it's difficult to face. But how tangible tears are, and how real is a good laugh! And if I do decide to change my life completely, so be it. I'm sure everyone who has, at one time or another, not wanted to get out of bed but has been unable to sleep for anticipation will understand.

Our Colorado Trip!

A couple weeks ago we flew out west to Denver for our friend Sarah Tigchelaar's wedding. Post-nuptials, we traveled a tad further west with Kim and Kurt to Estes Park. Ole E.P. became our base of operations for the following week, as we explored the mountains, streams, and meadows... and shops... and restaurants... of the Rockies. This first picture shows the four of us climbing and photographing some dangerously picturesque rocks in a river.


One of our first big ventures into the Rocky Mountain National Park took us along the Trail Ridge Road, which wound us up above 12,000 feet. Here we trudged in the high altitudes above the treeline and amongst the snow. Still, plenty of flowers were blooming.


The following morning we stepped out our hotel room door to find first one, then two, elk grazing in the river and around the parking lot. As we cautiously followed them, snapping pictures, we found a whole herd of 20 or so relaxing nearby in someone's front lawn.


Our second day took us past this beautiful meadow with a river cutting through it. Fishermen waded all throughout the stream.



Later that day we hiked up to Alberta Falls. We appreciated how the park made no bones about the fact that YOU'RE IN NATURE, meaning there are animals and steep drops and scary places and bridges that you have to detour. A park ranger was busy sawing and carving logs to make the new bridge. We climbed along the falls, sitting so close to them at the top that you could practically dangle your feet in them.

It was a great trip, affording us the opportunity to see landscape we usually don't, and spending time with friends we don't get to see all the time.

iChat with youChat?

Recently we hooked our digital video camera up to the ol' iBook and discovered the joy and ease of video conferencing. On Tuesday night we did a four-way chat with the Meyer fam in Greenville, sister Kate in New York, Chip and I upstairs, and Beth and Abbey downstairs. For a while we included friend/new next door neighbor Karl in the conference, too. Way too much fun for our own goods.

So for all of you out there using AOL's instant messenger or on an Apple with iChat, just look up the .Mac user name ndekke39 for a little bit of visually-oriented conversation!

Renetto Reviews

Ok, so I've just discovered a hilarious new video "series" on YouTube, my new obsession. Type "Renetto Reviews" in the 'search' field and it will bring up this guy, Renetto's, reviews of various YouTube videos. It's well worth your time...he's hilarious!!! I've given him 5 star ratings so more people will see him in the 'favorites' column!

www.youtube.com

Dahlias, Lilies, and Hydrangea... Oh My!

Just wanted to share the color of our summer bloomage. These pictures hardly capture the fireworks of the day lilies, and the morning glories - which are climbing up the porch like it's a jungle gym - haven't even begun blooming yet. But at least you can see the hydrangea, one of our dahlias, and some of the day lilies doing what they do best.

North, The Story of Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Consider this your invitation! A few months ago I was invited to play Charles Lindbergh in a play developed by some very good friends and colleagues of mine. The piece is titled "North," and focuses on the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her relationships with her husband Charles and the French aviator Antoine de St. Exupery (author of "The Little Prince"). The play is constructed entirely out of their writings. All three were amazing people - articulate and passionate. St. Exupery visited the Lindberghs in the U.S. shortly before the beginning of World War II, and the play centers on this meeting. All three were published writers and heavily involved in aviation, which gave them a unique connection.

We're performing the play twice on Friday, July 14th at 3 and 8 p.m., in the Roy Bowen Theatre, Drake Union, at Ohio State. It is performed by Christina Ritter as Anne, Christopher Roche as St. Ex, and myself as Charles; it is directed by Jennifer Schlueter (who brilliantly wrote the script). The production is free. It's been a wonderful interaction with these characters, the process, and my colleagues - the whole production is done by students, and we'd love to share it with you!

If you don't get a chance to come, try to read some of their writings, such as Scott Berg's biography of Charles, Anne's books "Gift From the Sea" and "North to the Orient," or St. Ex's "Little Prince" and "Wind, Sand, and Stars."