If you are my father-in-law, don't read this post for a week.

BJ inherited many wonderful traits from his father, but there is one trait BJ acquired in this fashion of which I am not so fond: an irrational love of science fiction. It doesn't matter what it is, books, movies, horribly acted TV shows, they love it all so long as it is sci-fi. Usually I disdain this trait, but this week it has served me well. My father-in-law's birthday is coming up next week, and I have found the perfect card. Here it is in video form. Enjoy!

Plum Jelly

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my grandmother's passing. We have all missed her deeply through out the year. A few months ago, I wrote a poem about her death and my own mourning. I have never posted one of my poem's on this blog, but this feels like a good time for a first, so here it is:

Plum Jelly

Ice-coated bluebonnets lined the path
leading to the cemetery
on that Easter-eggless Easter morning.
Death chose a curious time to take
you, but Nature, being kind, froze over
postponing Spring in a respectful moment
of silence.

A forest green tent offered shelter
from the frost as we set in velvet folding chairs,
Morris & Sons Funeral Home monogrammed on each.
Finally, dust descended from Reverend Riley's hand
and hushed the shine of your powder pink coffin.

Months later, on a smoldering summer day
when I was going about resuming my life,
I embarked on the menial task of cleaning
the fridge. Hidden behind
the ketchup and cocktail sauce I found a jar of plum jelly
whose lid had been neglected one busy breakfast
allowing air to seep in and work its decay.
I reached to throw it away, but paused when I saw
a sticky label with a picture of a candy cane and holly-
"Merry Christmas. Love, Grandma" written
in your slanted, shaky, decaying cursive.
The chill of the glass jar, of the frozen bluebonnets,
ran through my finger, up my arm, into me.
I replaced the items that had sheltered your gift
leaving the chore for another day.

Life

Other than having a stable marriage, BJ and I have yet to experience any other kind of stability in our short marriage. Life has been constant uncertainty and flux as we have looked for jobs, moved, and looked for jobs some more. I'm not complaining. I have not been bored for about three years. However, sometimes I get tired.

Our luck is laughable at times. Or, at least, laughter seems like the better choice when crying is the other option. I have this uncanny feeling that luck is not the only component, that we must be doing something terribly wrong, but no one has bothered to clue us into the cosmic secret that makes things go magically right. Whenever I put my logical self on, though it be a rare occasion, I am able to remind myself that Biblical characters rarely had easy or comfortable lives, so why am I complaining? I fear that the myth of the American dream has caused me to forget the reality of my Christian narrative. Life is hard. We rely on Christ and serve others. We die. Something better happens.

I thought I would take a hiatus from funny Gus stories to write what has really been going on in my mind, but things have gotten a bit despair-ish, so I think I'll sign off. But one last thing, to comfort the people who care about me, don't worry. I am living in the abounding hope of Christ.

Easter with the Gensics

We headed down to Abilene the latter half of Spring Break to spend Easter with BJ's parent, his sister Alison, and her husband Breandan. We had a wonderful few days filled with card games, eating, and a wicked game of croquet (that I won - hehe). Right before BJ and I hit the road, we took this family portrait that I thought turned out pretty well:

Here is another picture from the car ride. It is of Gus using Sienna's tookus for a pillow. Anyone who knows Sienna knows this was a brave move on Gus's part.

Sensitive soul or a chicken?

Gus's hair has been getting out of control for a while. BJ and I don't have a clue how to care for a long-haired dog considering we have never had one, so Gus's hair has ended up pretty crazy. Since Old English Sheepdogs are supposed to be trimmed every summer to avoid over heating, BJ decided that now would be a good time for Gus's first hair cut. My brother (who had been visiting me for spring break) and I came back from a trip to Barnes & Noble to find the house empty. I went to the back yard, and there stood BJ, Gus, and a huge pile of hair.

Gus has always been a bit funny looking, but this hair cut has taken his overall comical effect up a notch. I know I shouldn't make fun of him, but looks aren't his strong point. He's sweet. That's why I love him, which is good since he is not at his best in the looks department right now. Here is a before and after:

(from a snow storm two weeks ago)
(earlier this evening)
It's been about three days since the hair cut, and Gus has still not gotten over the trauma of the event. He didn't eat for over twenty-four hours afterwards, and I was only able to get him to eat by putting his bowl of food by my feet. He's been pretty much terrified of BJ, but they are slowly making amends. I told BJ that this dramatic reaction was due to Gus's sensitive soul. BJ says he's just a chicken.

For a final picture, here is one that truly captures Gus's state of depression over his new haircut. I think we can all feel his pain because, after all, who hasn't had a bad hair day?

I have a strange husband

The other day, BJ was running late getting home from work. I automatically knew that he had been talking to his colleague, Phil. They always have interesting conversation, so I asked BJ what they had been discussing. I've gotten several strange answers in response to this question, but this day was even a little stranger than normal: "We were talking about the plight of the prophet in today's churches." That's right, Jeremiah's job hasn't gotten any easier than when he was "weeping" about it all those millenniums ago.

I'm also always surprised to see what BJ's Bible class is talking about on Sunday mornings after he has taught. BJ is teaching the men's Bible class. He is doing a six week survey of Judges. After my women's class, I go to find BJ to hear how everything went. Usually, he has a flock of people around him asking questions and discussing his class. This week, I walked up and everyone was talking about sex. Apparently, BJ is destroying all the Sunday-school Bible stories they were taught when they were young and replacing these stories with what is really being said. Quite frankly, the Bible is a little raunchy at times. I've never seen so many expressions of lost innocence mixed with fascination.

Although BJ has always been a little strange (that's a big part of why I fell for him), I fear I am making him stranger. He is now a man who exfoliates and does yoga. Even though he married a Texan, I certainly haven't Texan-fied him.

Back on the job search

It was just a year ago that we were searching for jobs and living in uncertainty over where we would end up and what we would be doing in just a few months. Once again, we're in the same position. BJ had an interview yesterday for a campus ministry position. He was really impressed with the church, but we will have to wait to hear anymore on that job. There are several other possibilities on both of our tables, so we're trying to just trust that God will put us in the right place.

Some of these jobs, including the one BJ has interviewed for, are not in Texas and are, in fact, far from Texas. I have to admit, I am terrified at this prospect. Texas is home, and I suspect it will always be home no matter where me and BJ land. But I also want to be brave (however shaky my version of bravery tends to be) about this future transition.

I would appreciate prayers as BJ and I are navigating the job pool, but I have another prayer requests that is far more pressing. Theresa's husband, Sean, was injured in Iraq a week ago, and he will be undergoing surgery tomorrow that is expected to take about ten hours. Please be in prayer for his health, recovery, and transition from war zone to the states. They are an amazing couple, and they deserve the best. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Ethics in politics: what a novel idea

If you are planning on voting in tomorrow's primary, or really ever, I would recommend taking a look at this post from my brother's blog. It is a letter he wrote to the editor of the Abilene Reporter News. I think is cast some light on our moral obligation an voters to vote for who we believe would be the best elected official. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I think that as Americans with the right to vote, it is good to be reminded of the responsibility that comes with this right.

Procrastination and moving on

It's official. I'm not cut out for graduate school.

Everyone in my classes seem so committed, but I'm having a really hard time making myself care. Every night I tell myself I'm going to do homework the whole evening and try to catch up, but I inevitably find myself in my art room painting with watercolors, sketching in some obscure corner of the house, reading about the election on the computer, doing yoga, or cleaning over and over again.

I realize I'm not the first graduate student to procrastinate, but this is the first time in my school career that I've ever not cared this much. Hopefully, I'll knock out of this before my major papers start being due.

On a more serious note, I've been waiting for the appropriate moment to announce that BJ will not be returning to his job next year. I think it is common enough knowledge now that I can put it on my blog. The school said he has been a very good teacher, but that they have a vision for the future, and he is not in this vision. We ask for prayers as we search for jobs for each of us next year. BJ is applying for ministry jobs, and I'm applying for teaching positions. I am really excited about the possibilities ahead of us. We have met some really fabulous people while we've lived here, but it is quite obvious to me that I was not cut out for the metroplex, and I am especially not a suburb girl. I am grateful for all that I've learned here (like how to drive in crazy traffic), but I'm ready to move on if it is God's will.

TONY!!!!!! I mean Gus.

I realized today that whenever Gus gets in trouble, I always accidentally call him Tony. It's like I'm programmed to say "Tony" anytime my voice rises in an angry reprimand. I wonder what that's about.

The best Valentine's Day ever, or the only good Valentine's Day ever

I generally hate Valentine's day with all its commercial mumbo jumbo and the pressure it puts on couples to act really "in love". However, for the first time ever, I had an awesome Valentine's Day, and it is all because me and BJ have no money.

Since things are more than a little tight right now, BJ and I decided to do something a little different this year. I constructed two zig-zag books using random supplies from my art room, and I filled them with questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and other fun stuff that we had to fill out about each other. Last night after dinner, we sat down and read what the other had written. It was so funny and touching and romantic, and BJ even made me cry a little. I've decided to post some of the high-lights from each of our books.

Excerpts from BJ's book for me:

-If Kalyn were a Biblical character, who would she be? Mary, Martha's sister, because she was kind of a hippi who was running around sighing "Jesus" with butterflies in her hair.
-If Kalyn were a food, what would she be? Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and corn (that's right, I'm a steak).
-If Kalyn were a place, where would she be? a shaded, cool but warm forest with lots of water.
-Favorite memories: the car ride our first day of marriage, canoing in Indiana, all our trips to Illinois.
-5 words that define Kalyn: gentle, caring, passionate, self-sacrificing, and great!-cook.
-Fill in the blank: Kalyn is the most sensitive person I know.
-Fill in the blank: If I could get you anything for Valentine's Day, I would get you financially free so you could stay home and make art.

Excerpts from my book for BJ:

-If BJ were a character from a book or movie who would he be? Ron Weasley because he is stubborn, hot-head, but good hearted...and he got the nerdy girl.
-If BJ were a Biblical character, who would he be? Jeremiah because he was always honest with God and was willing to become vulnerable for the sake of maintaining that honesty.
-(this one is my favorite) If BJ were a dog, what breed would he be? Scottish Terrier "Independent and self-assured...rugged nature and endless determination...sometimes seen as aloof, he is actually very loyal to his family. He can have a temper, but is also quite sensitive."
-Five words that define BJ: resilient, goofy, loyal, devoted, passionate.
-Favorite thing he has said to me: "It's like you, the embodiment of elegance with a smudge."
-Fill in the blank: BJ is the most passionate person I know.
-Fill in the blank: If I could get you anything for Valentine's Day, I would get you a new computer with all the works.

A good day

Tuesday was the crazy meeting of three pretty awesome day: my birthday, Super Tuesday, and Fat Tuesday. All of these days are exciting on their on, but put together, it was a combustion of awesomeness.

My day started as most days do, with the alarm clock. But on this really awesome day, my husband threw a birthday card and a package of gum at me before he pushed the snooze button. The card was in Spanish. BJ wrote in it, "I don't know what it says either, but Happy Birthday!" So romantic. On my way to school, instead of listening to morning talk shows reporting on Brittney Spears, I got to listen to The Audacity of Hope, a b-day gift from Brittany. Then, I went to school and set in classes where we talked about the only things English majors ever seem to talk about: sex, the end of Christianity, and fairies. The rest of my day was pretty normal (or as normal as English classes can be) until I got home and BJ took me out to Macaroni Grill. We then embarked on a long search for All-Star Converse tennis shoes, but found none that struck my fancy. So instead, we went to Old Navy where BJ set in the dressing room and told which items he did and did not like. Actually, he didn't have to say a word. All I had to do was look at his face and I knew. After we returned home rather late, I spent the rest of the evening watching, agonizing over, analyzing, and fretting over election results. I'm pretty sure my recent swing into political junky-hood is not good for my health. But all in all, I'd say it was a successful day of combined awesomeness.

Getting Better

After a week of being out of work, BJ's fever finally broke today. Hopefully, he'll be back at school tomorrow. Today, he was exhausted. I think that his body is tired from having a non-stop fever for three and a half days.

I walked into the living room today to find BJ and Tony resting together. Tony may be evil, but he is a good buddy to cuddle up with for a nap. And BJ has been caught in entirely too many pictures napping with Tony to try and deny that he doesn't have a soft spot somewhere deep, deep within for the little fur ball.

That funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, I think it's hope

Because of the divisive nature of politics, I have tried to keep political content off of my blog. I would never want to offend my friends and family who read my blog, and I know that I often have differing political views from those who are closest to me. However, in the past year, there has been an ever-growing sense of inspiration that has now reached an intensity I have never felt in the area of politics. For the first time in my life, I feel a legitimate surging of hope, and it is all the result of one man: Barack Obama. Since this blog has always been a candid journal of my life, it seems dishonest to not do a post on the issue that I am spending a ridiculous amount of my day thinking about, researching, and praying over.

I have read tons of articles over Obama and listened to a large number of his speeches online. After a good bit of consideration, I feel that there are two speeches that give the best overview of who Barack Obama is as a politician and, more importantly, as a person. I do not want anyone to feel like I am saying that Obama is our only hope or that a person who does not vote for him is somehow inherently wrong. All I am wanting to do is offer sources to anyone who reads my blog and wants to know about Obama and why he is such an inspiration to me.

The first speech is the one he gave last night at his victory rally in South Carolina. It is appropriately titled Yes We Can, and I feel it shows his humility, depth, and overall character. The second speech, Politics of the Conscience, is from July of 2007 when Obama spoke to a group of evangelicals. Many people are saying that this is the most important political speech about religion given in the past forty years. I realize that e-mails have been going around saying that Obama is a Muslim. I do not believe this rumor, and the sincerity and intelligence of this speech on his Christian faith and it's role in his life is the basis for my belief. I have never been able to articulate my opinions on faith and politics and how the two should interact. Thankfully, in this speech, Obama does it for me. He has put into words the interconnectedness of faith and politics, and he has acknowledged that Christian morals guide his every step, even in the world of politics.

If you are interested in background information on Obama, "The Path to Power", an article from Men's Vogue, is a really great examination of what has brought him to this election. Also, I would recommend his website for a breakdown of his views on specific issues.

Grad school begins

I have just completed my first two weeks of graduate school. So far, I've got mixed reviews over the whole thing. What is good is that I've made some friends who are interesting and fun to talk to. Also, it is nice to have something to do that gives me a sense of movement in my life towards my broader goals. I would say that, all in all, I am more happy now than I was last semester.

But, like I said, my reviews are mixed. Since I've always considered myself a liberal, I didn't think I would be bothered by state schools and the beliefs of the faculty. However, I have had a difficult time with the way religion is dealt with in the classes. It is assumed that all religions are myths in the same way that unicorns are mythical creatures, and it is assumed that we are all in agreement on this issue. What is difficult about this for me is that all things tend to lose their meaning for me outside of the Christian narrative. This shouldn't be shocking. Every other student has a lens they're looking through. Some are Marxist, others feminist, some deconstructionalist. These are acceptable lenses. Mine is not. And what is frustrating is that no one is willing to admit that Marxism, feminism, and deconstructionalism are their religion. The good news is that after years of my faith not being challenged at ACU, I had forgotten that I still care. I do.

Weak Denim

My dad is notorious for making up lame excuses for a) over-eating and b) gaining weight. When we point out that he is eating more than should be humanly possible, his general excuse is that he "was feeling weak" and needed the boost of energy 1000 calories worth of Little Debbies so generously gives. And as for the weight gain, he usually uses the classic "My pants must be shrinking."

However, this week he got creative. While at work, Dad does a lot of very physical work. This requires tons of walking, climbing ladders, bending over, etc. While bending over in some task the other day, Dad heard the noise we all dread, the sound of pants splitting. Apparently, post-holiday season has been a bit of a squeeze. But I'll have to give Dad credit because he didn't revert to the old shrinking excuse. No, this time it was "weak denim" that caused the crisis. Wranglers just don't make them like they used to.

Just out of curiosity, does anybody have some good excuses they've used to blow off a couple (or ten) extra pounds?

Gus reaches celebrity status

I just got back from a walk in the park where we had yet another first with Gus. Someone stopped us to ask about Gus's breed (which is not at all unusual) and then went on and on about how "cute", which means funny, he looks. Also, not unusual. What was the "first" was that this person actually wanted to take a picture of Gus with their dog, an extremely tiny dotson puppy. So a few moments later Gus was immortalized for this family's photo album. If I am not mistaken, the camera snapped along about the time Gus was sniffing the little guy's crotch. Needless to say, it was a canine Kodak moment.

A Menard Moment

Here's a story from Menard that I was thinking about earlier. It happened a couple of weeks ago while I was staying down there, but it still makes me laugh.

Mom, Dad, and I were eating lunch and talking about some workshop video my brother had to watch about learning to love your job no matter what it is. Dad was basically laughing at how stupid the whole concept is (obviously, I inherited my optimism from him). My mom started getting angry at him for being negative, because Mom really is the eternal optimist. In her fury, she lost all control of the words sputtering out of her mouth, and she said to my father in an extremely frustrated tone, "Oh, stop being such a grumbly-dub-dub." My dad got this bewildered look on his face and said, "A what?" By the time Mom realized she had spoken complete gibberish, it was too late: she had just added yet another word to the Pierce vocabulary. So if you are ever coming through Menard, keep a positive attitude because according to the book of Loveticus, "Thou shalt not be a grumbly-dub-dub."

By the way, I know what you're thinking. Does this new word have anything to do with three men in a tub? We have yet to establish a solid connection there, but we're still investigating.

The Holidays

We returned yesterday from a wonderful holiday in Menard. I saw old friends, spent time with family, and got ridiculous amounts of presents. Also, I took over the world twice. It was actually my first time to play Risk.

Josh and Allison Belisle came to Frisco for New Years, and we played all sorts of games, ate lots of food, and, of course, laughed. All and all, I give a thumbs up to the holiday season.

When the clock struck twelve last night, my brother called from Menard. I was expecting to hear "Happy New Year", but in class Bro fashion, he yelled, "We survived". Yeah, 2007 was a rough year, but here's to 2008. May it be a blessed year for all my friends and family.

Pray for the babysitter!

We have gotten Tony a babysitter to come see him three times while we are in Menard for the holidays. Last night, while Tony was laying in between me and BJ in bed purring with that plotting look in his big evil eyes, it occured to us that it would be just like Tony to do something so horrible to the baby sitter that we would end up with a lawsuit against us. I should have had the lady sign a contract that said, "I will not sue you if your cat tries to severe a limb or scar me for life in any other manner."

Of course, Tony was on his best behavior when the babysitter came yesterday to meet him and get her instructions. But things still managed to get out of control. This time it was Gus. With his Old English Sheepdog genes strongly in place, Gus feels the need to bark loudly and extensively anytime a visitor (in his mind "a wolf") comes into our home (in his mind "the perimeters of our flock"). He actually made the babysitters three year old daughter cry. Fortunately, the mom just laughed at how funny looking Gus is. I'm pretty sure his comical cuteness gets him out of loads of trouble.

I'm leaving today on a Greyhound to go see my parents and help Mom with the pre-holiday preparations. I've left a note with BJ in which my P.S. reads, "Don't forget to baby talk to Gus 5 to 10 times daily. And, please, don't kill Tony." I've got to make sure Momma's little boys are taken care of.