my mind is on music today

My friend Wendy called from Nashville last night and said she had a couple of free tickets to a concert...

I was rendered speechless when she told me who.

I'm about to hop in my car and head north on I-65 to see these two:

That's right. James Taylor & Carole King - I can't handle it. I've seen James Taylor only once before, years ago in Charlotte. It was the best concert I've ever been to, save maybe Patty Griffin. I have always wanted to see these two in concert together.

Sigh.

On another note, I wanted to share a song that I'm loving right now.

A friend in my community group at church, Bryan, shared this stunning song with us last week - Emmylou Harris' "The Pearl," also covered by Matthew Perryman Jones. Both versions are beautiful.

I love it because she fearlessly stares into the eyes of the dilemma of what it is to be human and remains resolutely worshipful in the face of our all too apparent mortality.

If you're not already familiar with this song, it's worth the download:

"The Pearl"
Emmylou Harris

O the dragons are gonna fly tonight
They're circling low and inside tonight
It's another round in the losing fight
Out along the great divide tonight

We are aging soldiers in an ancient war
Seeking out some half remembered shore
We drink our fill and still we thirst for more
Asking if there's no heaven what is this hunger for?

Our path is worn our feet are poorly shod
We lift up our prayer against the odds
And fear the silence is the voice of God.
Of God, of God

And we cry Allelujah Allelujah
We cry Allelujah

Sorrow is constant and the joys are brief
The seasons come and bring no sweet relief
Time is a brutal but a careless theif
Who takes our lot but leaves behind the grief

It is the heart that kills us in the end
Just one more old broken bone that cannot mend
As it was now and ever shall be amen
Amen, amen

And we cry Allelujah Allelujah
We cry Allelujah

So there'll be no guiding light for you and me
We are not sailors lost out on the sea
We were always headed toward eternity
Hoping for a glimpse of Gaililee

Like falling stars from the universe we are hurled
Down through the long loneliness of the world
Until we behold the pain become the pearl
The pearl, the pearl

And we cry Allelujah Allelujah
We cry Allelujah

Here is MPJ's cover of the song:

exciting summer news...

Most of you probably know that for years, I have been a huge fan (read: mildly obsessed) of Mo Leverett and his work at Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans' upper ninth ward. He is now pastoring a church in Tallahassee, FL and starting up Rebirth International. Here's a short video about him and his ministry...

I have the opportunity to go spend the month of July working with him, learning his ministry model, and just generally soaking up the wisdom and know-how he's gained over the past 20+ years in urban ministry.

I don't know where this will lead me, and frankly it's a little nerve-wracking, but be still my heart.

I just can't believe I even have the opportunity to do this. I am so thankful!!

ps. Isn't his music phenominal?? You can get more info on that at Justice Road Productions.

why I'm in love with donald miller (and both of the other guys in this video)

Updates: 1) overheard today after school in the hall: "NO I'm not about to do HOMEwork. I'm not at HOME, am I???!!! So it would not be HOME work now, would it???!!!!" What a gem.

2) Kate and Nancy, since you are the lone commenters on my giveaway post, you are both now the proud owners of The Heart Mender. Nancy, if you'll email your mailing address to clairehardin@hotmail.com, I'll ship it right out to you. And Kate, I'm just going to give my copy to you when I finish since I'll be at your house all of June anyway. K? ;)

so much to talk about this morning, part II

My first class is settled down to read for a little bit (on Wednesdays we take some time to stretch out on the floor and read what we want to read - my favorite day of the week bar none) so I can finish my thoughts here. And they are mostly about school today, so...maybe boring for some of you. I'm sorry.

First I'd like to highlight one of my kids, with his permission of course. Each year, the Red Mountain Writing Project hosts an event called Writing With the Stars where National Writing Project teacher-consultants honor one of their outstanding writers at a reception where the students get to share their work.

I'd like you to meet Adonis. He is my honoree this year, and last night he shared the prologue of his science fiction novel (he's on chapter 3 now) called Machine Haven. I'm telling you, the kid is talented. Up until the second he got up to read his work, he was furiously scribbling and editing his prologue. He is hard core. And his writing actually makes me want to read science fiction. That's the stuff of a writer, right there.

Look for him on bookshelves in a few years - you'll likely find him there.

Along that vein, I need your advice. I'm starting a new blog where my kids can share what they've written. I want to learn WordPress, because it's more conducive to multiple contributors, plus it just looks better. I need a name for this new blog.

I thought of Downtown Shakespeare, or By the Waters of Babylon (a short story we read by Stephen Vincet Benet that we love) but that's all I've come up with. Any ideas, friends?

Ultimately, the kids will decide, but I need some good options to put on the table so it won't end up with a name like Miss Hardin and the ones who test her gangster.

Meanwhile, I have an entire class that wants to nominate me for What Not to Wear.

I'm serious! I didn't think I was that bad of a dresser, but to be honest I don't really give much thought to what I put on in the morning. They think they can get me on the show, though, and I'm all for it - $5,000 and a makeover! Bring it! To quote the one who is spearheading this effort,

"Miss Hardin, it's not that you're a terrible dresser, it's just that you're almost 29 and you look like you're 17. We can fix that for you."

Amen, sister. While I do hope I have that problem when I'm 50, I think it would behoove me now to look like someone who pays taxes.

msk(s), what say you?

so much to talk about this morning...

...and so little time before 104 adolescents descend upon me, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Onward.

1. Awkward conversation at Wal-Mart last night that I can't not share with you. Why does some sort of ridiculousness ensue every time I buy a bottle of wine?

Me, at the self checkout machine: "Excuse me, could you please put in the approval code for me to buy this wine?"

Wal-Mart girl on machine duty: "Have you gone and broken my machine little girl?"

Me: "I don't think so. I think it just wants you to verify that I am of age."

WMGOMD: "Oh. Could I see your ID please?"

Me: "Sure - here you go."

WMGOMD: "I know JUST what I was doing in 1981."

Me: "Really? What's that?"

WMGOMD: "Teething."

Me: "You remember teething?"

WMGOMD: "I was born in 1979."

Me, a little confused: "Gotcha."

WMGOMD, after squiting at my ID again: "A lioness, I see!"

Me: "What?"

WMGOMD: "You're a Leo, like me."

And then...

She roared at me.

I just looked at her there for a minute, not really sure how to respond.

So she roared again.

And for the duration of our conversation, she continued to refer to me as either "Leo" or "Lioness."

I'm still mildly disturbed by this.

The gremlins have descended upon me, so I need to wrap this up here. But check back later...I've more to share with you.

oh my goodness.

I have got to own this.

Not only would I personally love to have this because I love stories and writing, but I have visions of summer story workshops, summer writing classes, yada yada I'm sure there is a better name for that that I can't think of right now (Mere you could help with this, a la Severed Wasp).

Seriously - I could rack up some serious mileage with this set of DVD's in my classroom, on my own, and in some fun little summer small group sessions with some of my favorite middle school rascals...hhmmm...my wheels are spinning at 90 mph.

Donald, thanks for sharing the wealth.

And, will you marry me?

the best teacher appreciation week gift ever

*Update: I started The Heart Mender yesterday, and I love it so far...it's a WWII mystery of sorts, and it's non-fiction, for the most part. I completely didn't realize it was a true story. Since there are just 2 people who want the book, both of you will get a copy! So if anyone else wants their name in the hat, comment now - giving away tomorrow!*

Can you see my name written on the lid?

You should know that I have no special affinity for peanut butter. I like it, but this was a completely random gift. And I was DELIGHTED.