A Portland Sunset

I hope to take many of these. Perhaps I'll even try for a sunrise as
well. Well...

From Tree Farm to Front Room

All in an afternoon. It's been so great to have family and friends in
town. We live a rich life indeed.

Gettin' Our Tree

Tis The Season

I might be a day late, but my contribution to Make Something Day is
traditional egg nog. True, it won't be ready until Christmastime, but
it's a process begun now. And it's coming on the heels of an amazing
Amber I brewed for Thanksgiving. Yah, I'm in the zone.

Thankful For: Walkable Yummy Coffee Options

Thankful For: A Beautiful Turkey

My secret spice: Smoked Paprika.

Thankful For: Friends and Family in Town

Thankful For: Sidewalk Grafitti

Thankful For: Another Day of Sun

Thankful For: Not Feeling Alone

Thankful For: Not Being Crushed by a Mattress

Got My New Shoes On

I seldom buy myself new clothes. Part of it is simple non-neccesity
and part of it is cheapness. I can throw down tons of cash on a nice
meal, but you'll almost never see me sporting expensive
clothes...unless someone has given them to me.

Well today, after putting it off for many years, I bought myself a
nice pair of boots. Inspired by all my man-boot wearing friends, I
joined the ranks of the fashionistas. Well, my socks still droop and
I'm still wearing boxers from college and these pants have holes near
no mans land. But they do match the nice H&M sweater Craig-Lora gave me.

Yah, I'm The Shit.

Thanks Nelson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant?" Who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us: it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.

I know many folks have referenced this, but it comes back to me from time to time as I reflect on the guilt and fear that keep so many of us shackled. The self-hatred that we carry for knowing our influence in the world.

I have had conversation after conversation about the place of the educated, middle-class white American male in this world. There is so much grief around our history.

But is refusing power better than using power? Aren't all great movements of the people realized when they found their found their voice...and their ability to influence. Isn't that why we tell story? Because we feel that we must influence one another? Perhaps that sounds a bit strong, but...

True, influence for power's sake is a most dangerous place, but ought we deny the soil beneath our feet? It tell us where we stand. And we must not lie to ourselves.

So where do we go from here?

Breathing

They Frame Our Memories

Haunting My Kitchen With Brilliant Light

More Ghosts

Ghosts in Our House

The light has been falling in beautiful ways around the house.

Cloves Smell Like Fall

SPIN

Who bought us a gift subscription to this magazine?

Ryan Sharp
714.293.6780
ryan@SharpSeven.com