on the eye-level shelf of my bedroom bookcase, i keep a number of objects in my "altar to scare the protestants." the centerpiece of this non-altar is a really grotesque statuette of jesus. it's actually trinitarian in mary garman's description of artistic renderings of the trinity (two guys and a bird). it's got gold and a bloody-jesus-on-the-cross, and cherubim, and a young-looking rendering of what is either the father or christ the king, and all the figures are kind of either flying (if they are cherubim) or resting on clouds that look like some sort of light blue-gray coral. the father-figure is holding a bible in his left hand, and has his right one outstretched as if giving a blessing. the whole thing is about five inches high, four across.

i have it because... well, when i live in brooklyn, i sing at a nursing home for mass twice a month. on easter a few years ago, the parish gave these little boxes to the residents of the nursing home. one of them looked at me, and said, "you're such a nice girl, coming here to sing for us all this time. i want you to have mine." and she gave it to me. which is really sweet. plus, i just love how utterly grotesque, baroque, and catholic it is. yeah, this may not be where i am right now, but this is where i'm from. and i think it's good to acknowledge and affirm that.