Been a few days...

 It's not that I had nothing to say--I have.

It's not that I've been too busy--I haven't.

It's that my mind has been in limbo for a number of things.

First of all, we went from looking for a new car to spending over $700 to fix my front brakes and buy two new tires. So, I'm going to drive my car for a while longer. I'm glad....

Second, Dan--Bern's brother is coming on Monday for a visit. He's getting into Hartford on a plane at 10 p.m. or so. So Bern got an Uber to bring him to us since we're in bed before then.

Third, I am so upset about our so-called President and all the awful things he's doing. Making money instead of taking care of the poor. Declaring English as the American language and cutting funds for English classes for immigrants. Building a ballroom and fighting a war, neither of which anyone wants, instead of running the nation. Making the national debt higher than it's ever been while spending money on a war and ballroom nobody wants.

I'm just getting started--but I'm stopping there.

Church today was great except our musician is sick again, so no music. But we did a healing service after communion and after church talked about a Christmas play before a great coffee hour.

I love that church and those people.

What a lucky guy I am...except for car troubles and what's his name in the White House....

Car looking tomorrow

 Bern has almost convinced me I need a new car or a low mileage used one.

It doesn't help that when I hit the brakes it sounds like thunder.

I'll try to have that checked tomorrow.

You have a car for sale? Or want to give it to a good ole guy?

So, tomorrow, we go looking.

I may just give my much loved car to Public Radio since I don't think a dealer is going to give me much of anything for it.

As you've probably deduced--I hate this whole thing.

But I'm a good ole guy....

Driving to Milton...

...wears me out. It's only 33 miles, but on Wednesday the traffic is a lot heavier than Sunday.

I made it before anyone else and luckily remembered the code for the parish house door.

I really needed a bathroom!

There were 6 people at Bible Study--5 regulars and a newcomer.

She was very engaged--hope she'll be back.

Gnostic writings are both 'kinda familiar' and 'quite strange'.

The group is used to that by now and the first-timer was fascinated.

The conversation was so good I didn't eat all my lunch. That was fine. Talk is often better than food.

Driving home I heard weird noises when I used the brakes.

Bern is probably right--I need a new car.

But I thought this car would be the last of my life (I'm that old!) but 184,000 miles is a lot and I will most likely fail my admissions test again next week.

We'll see....

 

Monday, Monday....

 I was on my way to have my re-take my car's emmisions (which I can't spell!) test, but stopped at English Auto on the way.

If you live in Cheshire or near-by and need car work, go to English--they're the best, a family business and they are all great.

The woman who runs it told me my 'check engine' light being on would fail me out of the box. She also told me I could be late for the test and they couldn't do anything. In fact, she told me, people drive for months after failing--you just can't renew your registration.

Bern wants me to get a new car, but I've resisted so far. We'll see.

Also, took a water damaged book--a "Murder She Wrote" novel, back to the library thinking I'd have to pay for it.

But the head librarian said not to worry about it.

So, I won't.

Not a bad day so far.

And Jeopardy is on tonight--if I haven't mentioned it--my favorite show.

Not a bad day at all....

Church

Church, as always, was wonderful. Great music, a good crowd, several kids--all of whom received communion!--and a coffee hour full of wonder (including Josh's birthday cake which we were so full we couldn't eat....)

The newsletter is already on line. A great picture of K. and S.--mother and daughter who were my assistants. S. a teenager carried the cross, gave me the elements, washed my fingers and administered the wine.

She did great and I told her mom, "S. and I won't need you next time!"

She laughed and said, "good!"

Some visitors, who came to communion--YEA!!!

I love the folks at Trinity.

Wish it wasn't 33 miles from home....

I used Prayer C 'cause I love it so.

A great morning.

Home in plenty of time for lunch.

Hope your Sunday was as good as mine....

 

Waiting to shower....

 They didn't arrive (our son and his female companion) until after 7 p.m. so they are pizza late and we sat on the back deck and talked until after 8 and then gave him his birthday cake (a really strange thing called "chocolate avalanche") that none of us had room to eat.

So, I'm taking the cake to church tomorrow for coffee hour. We'll see what Trinity folks think about a chocolate avalanche!

I got up about my normal time but didn't shower because I thought they'd be up and ready to leave in the morning.

Not so. They didn't come downstairs until nearly 11, had some things to eat (coffee and donuts mostly) and didn't leave until after noon.

So, I had a small lunch and then took my shower.

I don't like afternoon showers, I don't know why exactly.

After that I went to get gas and to Big Y for a few things.

Bern and I are both exhausted though we didn't do much while they were here. Having adult kids around is tiring, I guess.

I've said it before, but we really like her. She is so patient and kind and helpful.

I hope it all ends well.

But only morning showers for me.....

Coming soon....

 My son and his companion are coming soon on their way back down the east coast. They stopped on the way north (I mentioned that in a post) and are now headed back to Baltimore.

Today is his birthday. I won't tell you how old he is since it would reveal how old I am! But he's past the half-century mark and I was 28 when he was born--there, I did it anyway.

We have some gifts and an amazing cake ready but we don't know if they will spend the night.

I like his companion a lot--more than I liked his soon to be 'former' wife.

But enough about that.

Bridget is barking at the front door.

Maybe they're here....