The Storybook Project

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

Please take three minutes to learn about the LSSI Storybook Project by watching the video below. This effort, as simple and profound as a bedtime story, connects incarcerated parents with their children.

Have some fun this Mother’s Day weekend, and make a real difference. You can

  • Donate to the Storybook Project in honor of the person who read you bedtime stories or the little one who shares a favorite book with you. I gave $10.29, the purchase price of one of my favorite children’s books, I Love You Through and Through. A $5.12 gift (Mother’s Day is May 12) could contribute to the cost of shipping a book and recording to a child.
  • Send one or more new children’s books to Gail Beard, Storybook Project director. Find the guidelines below the video. Even if it has been years since you’ve last read a children’s book–enjoy sometime in a bookstore and pick up a classic or a new favorite. 
  • Invite others to do the same.

God bless us, everyone! Sue

Below, Gail Beard, Storybook Project director, offers a list a recommend of requested titles. Please follow the guidelines carefully, for example, only new books are accepted. Mail your donated books to the address above.  Church groups and civic organizations might consider a book drive in support of the Storybook Project.  Blessings! Sue

We are happy to receive any popular new book for children, but here is a list of the books that are often requested by our incarcerated parents. Continue reading →

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New/Young

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift
One generation of senior citizens will be different from the next.

One generation of senior citizens will be different from the next.

“We need more young [volunteers, donors, subscribers, participants]!”

Whenever I hear some version of “we need young,” I usually counter with, “No, we need new.” New is not necessarily young.

If your organization’s current base skews over 70, instead of running after young ones, turn your attention to attracting the next generation of 70 year olds–people in their 50s and 60s. Generational cohorts are different than the one before. Think of your parents’ generation at the age you are now. They were different, right? It will take intentional effort to understand and stay relevant to the next generation of your current base. Continue reading →

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Doot-Doo-Doo Cake

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

Tonight I made Chocolate Chip Zucchini cake,* torn from the Penzeys.com Early Summer catalog. Walter helped me with the last step: adding a bag of chocolate chips to the top of the batter. I gave him a quick demonstration. “Doot. Doo. Doo,” I said, as I sprinkled a handful of chips. “Doot. Doo. Doo,” he said, as he added chips. The boy is a quick study.

Mmm. I make good cake.

Mmm. I make good cake.

The cake took 45 minutes to bake, and then there’s the cool time, so it was 10 minutes after dinner when I called Walter, Sean and Paul back to the table for a piece of “Doot Doo Doo” cake ala mode. It was a hit, and Walter was delighted.

“Doot. Doo. Doo,” he said a couple of times between bites, reminding us that yes, he knows this is his cake. “Doot. Doo. Doo,” Daddy, Baba and I echo as a chorus, reminding Walter that yes, we know, this is his cake and it is good. I’m guessing “Doot. Doo. Doo” cake is a recipe for a long-lasting family memory.

Yum.
Umma, 4/27/13

*I replaced replaced 1 cup of the white flour with 1 cup of King Arthur whole wheat flour with no ill effect.

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Happy Birthday

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

Prepare to be charmed by 18-month-old Walter.

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Mayo 2, home again

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

We’re so glad to have gone to Mayo Clinic and we’re so glad to be back home, just two appointment days later. We are assured we’re on the way to an answer. Those of you who watched the TV show “House” will recall the term “differential diagnosis,” which is what’s up with determining the cause of Paul’s headaches.

This morning’s ophthalmology appointment ruled out a pressure problem with fluid in the brain and avoided the need for a spinal tap (yea!). Last night’s MRI of Paul’s neck confirmed some arthritis. If an occipital nerve block (done locally) and physiotherapy to strengthen the neck stop the headache, than the arthritis is the culprit. If that doesn’t do it, then the diagnosis comes down to “primary cough headache.” Paul has started a preventative medication that can take three months to kick in. If that works, it’s a vote for “primary cough headache.”

We’ve unpacked the clothes (winter, spring, workout), the three computers and an iPad , the printer/scanner/fax, Paul’s bag o’ work, Sue’s bag o’ work and Sue’s bag of cookbooks for recreational reading. We brought home what’s left of the bag of double stuff blonde Oreos which the doctor didn’t order but seemed salutary given the circumstances, anyway.

Should Paul cough tonight, he’ll still get a headache, but maybe new knowledge will help take the edge off the pain. I hope so.

Off to bed for Paul and Sue. Tomorrow’s a work day.

God bless us, everyone!
Sue
4/17/2014

 

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Mayo, Part 1

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

We just returned to the hotel after Paul’s first appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

PaulatTownPlaceHow did we get here? Last year sometime, Paul started getting headaches when he coughed, sneezed or bent over. In December-January-February, a case of the coughing crud turned annoying headaches into suffering. An MRI and MRA ruled out the scariest stuff–there is no tumor, no structural problem.

With the speed of a glacier before global warming, Paul saw our primary care physician, an ophthalmologist and a neurologist. We lost 20+ years of medical social capital when we moved, but that’s another story. Paul began saying, “Sue thinks I should go to Mayo Clinic,” and everyone agreed,  physicians included.

Since Paul’s case was not an emergency it took a few weeks to secure a spot. We were told to prepare for five business days of appointments: Tuesday, April 16 through Monday, April 22. Paul arranged for sick leave and I arranged for family leave/extended illness benefit. We reserved a room at the TownPlace Suites on the north side of town. It is a privileged blessing to have the medical insurance, cash flow, paid time off, and understanding colleagues to be able to come here, to be able to expect answers.

We packed for nine days away. It’s winter in April, so I packed clothes of varying weights. 2013-04-017Although I haven’t worked out for two years, I packed exercise clothes and shoes. Paul packed, unpacked and set up our home office in our hotel room. We imagined making productive use of our time between appointments.

It took some doing to get to the right place for Paul’s 7:30 a.m. appointment. My romanticized view of Mayo Clinic was quickly dispelled. It is a medical industrial complex, albeit a beautiful one. We estimated 250+ people waiting in the lobby for lab work. “How did they keep track of all those vials?” I wondered aloud. Paul said, “they move on a conveyor belt.”

Paul was seen by Dr. Jonathan Smith, a neurology fellow. What a top-notch doc. After thoughtful questioning and listening, and a thorough exam, Dr. Smith laid out the plan to explore one likely and two not-so-likely causes for Paul’s headaches. Tonight, Paul will have an MRI of his neck/spine and an ophthalmology appointment tomorrow. Then we’ll pack up and head home. Dr. Smith will follow-up by phone with the results and a treatment plan.

More later,
Sue
4/16/2013

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Hand Washing: A Maundy Thursday Devotion

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift
DSC_0924

It was 2 p.m. on a hot, dry day in Malawi.* Already, the three of us representing ELCA World Hunger had visited a savings and credit cooperative, seen life-saving wells, and witnessed a goat project, piggery, and community seed bank.

The end-of-visit speeches signaled it was about time to leave Kabuzi, the second village on the itinerary. Instead of returning to the vehicles, however, the visitors–we three plus staff from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM) and the Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS)–were ushered into a home. We sat on chairs surrounding a mat.

We are offered a gracious lunch of mealie-meal (maize) and chicken.Once seated, a woman came in, her head bowed. Kneeling, she placed covered dishes on the mat–a hospitable feast of steaming cornmeal with a chicken sauce. Without a word, she backed out of the door. This process is repeated several times.

We remain quiet as ELCM/ELDS staff members start the hand washing. While holding a basin to catch the water, one person pours a cup of water over another’s hands. Around the room, the hand-washed became the hand-washer for the next person. It was a holy moment.

In my mind I saw Jesus, washing the feet of his disciples. I remembered my favorite hymnDSC_0923 by Richard Gillard, “Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.” With new appreciation, I thought of the ELCA tagline: “Gods work, Our Hands.”

Later, we learn that hand washing in Malawi is traditionally done by a woman, on her knees. She is to keep her head lower than any man or guest in the room. The fact that church leaders–men as well as women–did the hand washing was a shocking act of humble service.

“So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Luke 13:14-15 NRSV).

–Sue Edison-Swift
March 25, 2013

* Find more of the story in ”God’s Work, Our Hands,” an article in the July/August 2009 issue of Lutheran Woman Today, now Gather magazine. Find additional photos at http://photos.edison-swift.com/Global/Malawi.

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Brown Soda Bread

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

Super Healthy and Yummy Brown Soda Bread

From 2013 Cooking Light “Page a Day” calendar
1 quart of buttermilk will make two loaves. The loaves freeze well.

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Coat 9 X 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper and coat with spray

Super-Healthy Brown Soda Bread

Super-Healthy Brown Soda Bread

3. Combine these dry ingredients
11.25 ounces whole-wheat flour (scant 2.5 cups)
2.25 ounces all-purpose flour (scant 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup steel-cut oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

 

4. Combine buttermilk and egg; stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten

5. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 5 minutes; toothpick will come out clean. Invert onto wire rack. Cool completely. Slice into 12 slices.


1 slice CALORIES 160; FAT 1.8g; PROTEIN 7.2g; CARB 30.8g; FIBER 4g; SODIUM 286mg

 

 

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Mail

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

Word has it the U.S. Post Office will stop Saturday delivery in August.

The generation gap between my daughter and me has a stamp on it.

The generation gap between my daughter and me has a stamp on it.

This makes me sad. The fact I’m sad makes me old. It seems I’m among the last generation to consider it an obligation to check the mailbox on mail days.

Not that I get much mail, anymore. Catalogs. Coupons. Bills. Magazines. Save the date postcards followed by wedding invitations. Thank you notes from my friend Laurel. Christmas cards in January. Packages from Lands End. Appeal letters. Once a year, I get a smattering of birthday cards.

But what I do get is enough. It’s enough to make me anticipate going to the mailbox. It’s enough to make me disappointed when I open the mailbox forgetting it’s a federal holiday. It’s enough to make me think about the “good old days” when the mail was delivered on Saturday.

God bless us, everyone.
Sue
2/7/2013

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Fat Stoppers Evangelism

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Sue Edison-Swift

DSC_0116I’m tickled that Jan Rizzo picked up “Fat Stoppers Evangelism” as a Seeds for the Parish post on Living Lutheran. Find it at http://bit.ly/10GashT.

Fat Stoppers first appeared in the April 1993 issue of Lutheran Woman Today, now Gather magazine. Oh, my, it’s the 20th anniversary of the article. I’ve lost and gained many pounds in that time.

Thank goodness, in Christ each day is new. It’s always a good day for practicing healthy habits in mind, body and spirit.

God bless us, everyone.
Sue
1/3/2013

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