About Effectiveness

Found in a fortune cookie:

If you think you are too small to be effective,
You have never been in bed with a mosquito.

About Subversive Organizations

Lizards never struck me before as subversive, but it seems that they might possibly be the most conniving creatures yet. After all, they are found in king’s palaces, says the preacher. Lately I’ve noticed these tiny dragons scamper across the deck, drop, pump out about a dozen push-ups and then vanish over the edge. Perhaps they’re not turning out in hoards for the work-outs simply to avoid suspicion. I’ve grown suspicious non-the-less.

About Community

Lydia has developed a habit, during Sunday lunch, of scrunching herself onto the very edge of her chair--the one closest to me--and scarfing her meal with as little conversation as possible. I can hardly blame her since the Sunday Bruce swallowed the last piece of delicious roll, right out of her fingers while she watched wide-eyed and flabbergasted. It wasn't because he was still hungry. There's always plenty more where hers came from, but somehow, having been on Lydia's plate increases the attractiveness.

"Why thank you, Lydia," Josh beamed as Lydia carefully set her slice of banana cake on the table. "What a great idea!" He made a quick stab with his fork, but Lydia whisked the dessert out of his reach and gave him a triumphant smile.

That's when Tommy snagged her plate from across the table.

Lydia heaved an exasperated sigh and crossed her arms over her long-suffering heart. Josh's reaction lacked her forbearance. "Lydia!" He exclaimed. "Lydia! Did you see that? He took our cake!"

About Habits

"I used to have a terrible habit," Tabby admitted in a conspiratorial tone. I pressed the phone closer to my ear. "Go on." She took a deep breath. "I used to be horrible about not knocking on closed doors. Just barged right in. Then Mom told me I needed to practice by always knocking on every door before I came in. Next thing I knew my habit had gone the other way. I caught myself knocking on my closet door before opening it to select an outfit. But, worst of all, I knocked on doors to rooms I was leaving." She never told me the sad ending to her tale--whether she's been able to break these new habits or whether they plague her still.

About Opportunities

Apparently Nathaniel was inspired by Josiah's account of prank phone-calling Taylor. I walked into the study with a question for Nathaniel to discover him relaying messages via IP relay, reading Taylor's responses on the computer screen. Of course, considering that Taylor was responsible for introducing Nathaniel to the site, it couldn't have taken him long to figure out what was going on and Nathaniel didn't make much effort to maintain a farce. My interest was perked when, after a little friendly conversation, Taylor offered to share a verse he'd found--in 2 Corinthians "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God." Well. That was an interesting turn to the conversation. Realization dawned on me and Nathaniel at about the same time, and he quickly began typing questions to give Taylor a chance to explain the gospel--for the benefit of the operator relaying messages between them. I'd gotten an answer for my question and left the room without knowing how it ended, but with the distinct impression that I'd just witnessed "every opportunity." I wonder what impression the operator left with?

About Necessary Additions

“Mom,” Lydia walked into the kitchen, swinging the compost bucket from her arm. “We really need to hang up a hummingbird feeder. There’s swarms of hummingbirds outside!” Mom and I glanced at each other over a sink full of dirty dishes. “Swarms of them?” I questioned, peering out the window. “Well,” Lydia deposited her bucket under the sink where I was working, “I saw one, at least.”