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Both Dorothy and the Scarecrow had been greatly interested in the story of the Tin Woodman, and now they knew why he was so anxious to get a new heart.

“All the same,” said the Scarecrow, “I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one.”

“I shall take the heart,” returned the Tin Woodman; “for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.”

– L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Tin Ear
1. an insensitivity to melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in music.

– Dictionary.com

She too was steadfast. That touched the soldier so deeply that he would have cried tin tears, only soldiers never cry.

– Hans Christian Anderson, The Steadfast Tin Soldier

A tin cry is the characteristic sound heard when a bar of tin is bent. Variously described as a “screaming” or “crackling” sound, the effect is caused by the shearing of crystals in the metal. The sound is not particularly loud, despite terms like “crying” and “screaming”.

– Wikipedia

I find it interesting that tin cries when you bend it. Tin, which knows no love or pain, screams. Like maybe it knows it doesn’t have a heart, like someone with a “tin ear” knows they’re missing something, even if they’re not quite sure what.

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” — Romans 8:22 (NIV)

Saturday night, I discovered a new computer game, which I’ve really been enjoying. However, I wouldn’t have even been looking for a game at all if I hadn’t been so worn out.

(Actually, I discovered two games, but one was over quickly. If you’ve got 15 minutes or so and like this web site, you might like this little locked room game that is just cute and artsy and pink and full of animals and . . . well, cute.)

I first started thinking about tin because I’m reading Waking the Dead by John Eldredge, and he refers to the Tin Woodman. Lord willing, I’ll wake up a little more this week. With apologies to Fezzik, I must say I’ve been mostly dead for days.

We have a new (to us) television and entertainment center, courtesy of my ever-generous sister-in-law. Thanks, E! It’s really amazing how much difference a few inches in screen size makes, and while I can’t complain about the prior furniture (also hand-me-downs from the in-laws), this set-up has much better storage and really makes the room look more complete and less “college student” in decor. Considering how long it’s been since I’ve been in college, perhaps it’s time to move away from that decorating style, though I can’t imagine ever really making decor a priority. It’s kind of funny how much I like to create beautiful things but how bad I am at putting them together well and making beautiful places.

I guess I’ll confess that the old TV stand became my nightstand. I just moved my “college student ways” out of public view, that’s all.

Niece
A. M. Otwell, 2008
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches

Jefferson and I near Wallace Dam at the end of March. (Thanks, Elizabeth!)

We first became aware of Mamacat when she had kittens under our deck a little over a year and a half ago. The vet found homes for three kittens, and we kept two and started taking care of Mamacat, but although she was intermittently quite affectionate, she never quite trusted us after her trip to the vet to get neutered.

She had been dividing her time between our house and a neighbor’s for quite some time, so we weren’t worried when we didn’t see her for a while. Today, the neighbor came by to tell us he buried her this morning. We’re not quite sure what happened. Goodbye, Mamacat.

I was starting to think it would never snow in Greensboro. Since we’ve been here, Greensboro has generally been at least a degree or two warmer than metro Atlanta, so even when there has been winter weather there, there hasn’t been any here.

I took this picture of Percy in the back yard right after it started snowing. It got too dark for pictures, but we got a light dusting that turned everything white. It’ll likely be gone by morning.

(By the way, those lights in the background are from our local library. Others might disagree, but I think we’ve got one of the best locations in town!)

Approximately 2 years ago today, Percy was born. He came to live with us in December of 2005, and we named him after Walker Percy.

We took this picture minutes after we brought him home.

They say that big dogs are fully mature after 2 years, so I guess he’s not a puppy anymore. Percy’s a dog. A GOOD dog.

But he’ll always be a puppy to us!

Actually, I’ve had family visiting for the past few days, and ALL of the days have been extra special! Thanks, family!

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of
salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the
world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life,
and especially upon this man and this woman whom you
make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their
common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a
counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion
in joy. Amen.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will,
and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love
and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
Amen.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and
acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness
and yours. Amen.

Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful
and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.

Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of
children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you,
and to serve you. Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they
may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

(from The Book of Common Prayer, Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage)

“Best Present”
Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 30 inches
A.M. Otwell, 2007