Dog days

Languid. Stagnent. Droopy. These hot, sultry August days are my current inspiration! As of today I have come to the point that I can scarcely make myself do anything. Every activity requires some sort of hardwon, internal deal. Make the bed and then ... Take the car in for service and then ... Answer that page of e-mails and then ... Write that letter and then ... Dial the telephone and then ... Complete that form and then ... Think through that class and then ...

It's still; it won't rain. The air-conditioning runs most of the time; all the windows and blinds are closed. Listless seems such a good word. So perfectly descriptive.

So, what am I doing? Well, I'm doing my work. But, not with my whole heart. What do I want to do? Sleep and read. And, within reason, I'm giving myself that.

Even with an onoging Bible study and weekly sermon preparation, for a change the reading I'm enjoying isn't theology. Well, at least not overtly. As many have heard me say, it's ALL theology. In preparation for a continuing education experience -- Elderhostel's Ansel Adams, Yosemite and Mono Lake: A Photo Expedition -- I am delving into the suggested reading. It's fascinating stuff so far, focused on the natural and geological history of California. Having finished Verna R Johnson's Sierra Nevada: The Naturalist's Companion, I'm almost halfway through John McPhee's Assembling California. Waiting in the wings are John's Muir's notebooks and Ansel Adams' autobiograhy.

Now, I know I'm not going to remember the order in which various pines appear on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and heaven forbid I'm asked to explain the palate of plate tectonics along the Pacific coast! Let's just say I have the general idea. While I cannot help but notice the negative stressed by both writers: the consequences to the earth of humanity's insatiable greed, I am most struck by their passion.

No, these volumes are not theology. But, they are overflowing with the complexity of creation, with the stuggle we all have with being human, with the fascinating story of California and with, I used the word in the previous paragraph, with a grand passion. The writers exude energy and commitment and hope with their every word.

Verna Johnston is using the gifts given her. John McPhee is doing what he was born to do. What could be more theological than that?

I'm going to go read now. The dog days, no doubt about it, couldn't have come at a better time.