Cloudy Monday

I miss the sun. I miss it's warmth. I miss it's light.

A cloudy Monday isn't much fun.

I went and got Brigit's new tag and permit.

I went to the library. A crowd of parents and small kids were every where. I asked the librarian what it was. "Pre-school graduation," she told me.

I didn't know such a thing existed. Graduating from pre-school never entered my mind.

Lots of things never enter my mind.

My mind is like a cloudy Monday.

I went to Big Y to get stuff for dinner.

I also stopped and got some wine.

Cloudy Mondays call for wine....

 

Pentecost Sunday

 Only 11 people showed up for Pentecost.

I told them they would have stars in their crowns.

My sermon was about how Fear says 'NO!' and God says 'YES!'

I really belief that our fear keeps us from doing the work God has given us to do.

And I believe God's yes enables us to be God's people.

Remember that as you deal with life.

Bad Trip/Great Time

 The train to Baltimore was 3 hrs. and 50 minutes late getting there--it felt like 70 hours late.

We got to see T., who isn't graduating yet, and Josh, ate a little late dinner and went to our hotel.

Neither Bern or I sleep well in a strange bed--but Josh took us to the graduation locale (outside on a hot day) a little early.

The graduates from the exclusive girls school all wore white dressing gowns and carried a basket of flowers.

It went well and quickly.

Josh took us to Kathy's house--they are currently separated and we got to hug E. and C. and give them their gifts.

Kathy's dog jumped on me and knocked me down. Wonderously, Josh picked my 170 pound body up and put me on the couch. He's a strong guy. 

Then lunch with all of them plus Kathy's parents, who are great folks.

Then to the train station for a rare on-time train and home by 10 p.m.

We both slept like babies from the rigors of the trip.

But the time in Baltimore with family was great and wondrous.

Worth all the bad stuff in getting there.

See you on Saturday

 Leaving in the a.m. back on Friday late.

See you on Saturday with tales of our trip to Baltimore.

Wednesday Bible Study

 I've worn the folks at Bible Study with the Gnostic scriptures.

So we need something new.

I have to think about what--they had lots of suggestions and I'll have to do some research to find something.

We shall see.

I could have continued with the Gnostics for month.

But they didn't want to.

I live for their demands and needs.

Really....

Dentist again

 The 'deep cleaning' wasn't bad but it was only half my mouth. I have to go back on July 1 for the left side.

What was bad was the x-rays afterward--about 12 of them. I kept gagging on the contraption that they put in my mouth and it took them 18 tries to get 12 good shots.

I've been to the dentist so often recently that I feel like I should rent a room there.

I've already paid enough to rent the room and I still have a lot of visits to go.

Seeing x-rays of my pitiful teeth is hard to take but not as hard as getting them taken.

I may be getting bitter about all this.

You never know.

Thursday is the day

 On Thursday we're riding the train to Baltimore to watch Chris and Emma graduate from high school.

We've got a gift and money to give them.

I look forward to it.

But tomorrow I go to the dentist for a 'deep cleaning', which doesn't sound very up-beat.

Still waiting for my dental implant. 

Wednesday I go to Trinity Church for Bible Study.

We're reading the Gnostic Scriptures.

This week it is "The Acts of Peter and the twelve disciples."

It's short and unlike anything in our Bible.

I look forward to a wondrous discussion.

And we always have communion around the table before we read and discuss.

A good time.

Then to Baltimore....

Church went well

 All was good at Trinity today!

Except for one thing--a vestry meeting.

Oh, that didn't cause problems, but I just hate Vestry meetings more than a tooth drilling. Always have--even when I led them as Rector.

I'm not sure why I don't like them. They are, I suppose, needed.

Just that side of church business doesn't grab me like worship and Bible Study and hymns.

I always open with a prayer before the Senior Warden takes over to lead.

I always pray that we will be thoughtful and righteous and make the meeting short.

That part always gets a laugh.

Which the highlight of the meeting for me.

Day's work done

I wrote my sermon, washed my clothes, took a shower before all that and am about to go cook dinner for Bern and me.

My day's work is almost done.

I've also watched the sun and rain struggle with each other. Right now, the sun is winning.

I'm rooting for the sun.

Tomorrow is June and I feel like it's April.

Too wet and too chilly.

I live for summer.

If there was a place that was warm all year that wasn't Republican, I'd move there in a minute....

Church tomorrow.

Life goes on....

 

I love Trinity Church

 I've loved every church I've served.

St. James in Charleston, WV--a black church until we were integrated during my time there. It was the smartest congregation I served since many of members were teachers and administrators at a prodominately black college.

St. Paul's in New Haven--more educated because of Yale and very liberal.

St. John's in Waterbury another integrated church with lots of folks from the islands.

The Middlesex Cluster--three very different churches in that county but all willing to put up with my far-left views.

And now Trinity for several years. Liberal again and quite small--25 is a large Sunday crowd.

I've been blessed to serve churches that put up with me.

I retired from full-time ministry after 21 years at St. John's. Middlesex and Trinity used me a few days a week.

I've lived a good priest's life and the Episcopal Church's retirement payments make me better paid than when I was full time!

I couldn't ask for anything more....

 

Will the Courts save us?

 Courts all over the country have blocked President Dufus' Executive Orders. And those who he has blocked from doing things have filed cases against him.

Will the Courts save us from this deranged President?

I certainly hope so.

He is going after his enemies--or those he sees as enemies.

I doubt if he reads my blog.

But he does I'll be added to the 'enemies list'.

Quite an honor that would be....

Welcome to my Wednesday....

 I went to Trinity today for Bible Study.

We're reading some of the Gnostic Scripture.

I've worn them out with the Gospel of Thomas, which is a long-long series of sayings of Jesus.

Some are familiar and so are weird.

Next week we read the Acts of Peter--a short and entertaining piece that is not covered in our Gospels in any way.

That will wake us up.

Tomorrow I go for my allergy shots.

I look forward to the trip.

See you later....

Follow up

I spent a lot of the day speaking to doctors.

My primary care physician wants to see me. I talked to her office twice to set up an appointment.

I heard from my dentist--which I will until I get the implant I need.

I talked with my zoom group about what I've gone through. Two or three of us are 'doctors', but not of medicine.

I go to Trinity tomorrow for Bible Study and to deal with lots of questions about my health.

For the first time, I feel 78 today....

I'd like to turn the clock back, but that can't be done.

It is what it is--an old man complaining.....

 

President BAF

President BAF ('Big Ass Fool') is embarassing us all.

His memorial day speech was a wandering walk through his warped mind.

He had to see others salute to know he had to.

His speech to the graduating class of West Point went terribly wrong.

He wore a blue suit at the Pope's funeral (suits were supposed to be black.) 

His memorial day post went after his opponents.

The armed forces can't understand his purpose.

Judges all over the country are blocking his dismantling of the federal government.

He wants to de-fund Public Media.

I could go on and on--but I'll leave it at that.

He's making me crazy....

 

Memorial Day

My father was a soldier in WW2.

Thankfully he did not die since I would have never been born!

But it wounded him in ways I cannot explain.

So Memorial Day is special to me.

Thank God we won the war!

Thank God my father survived.

Thank God for those who didn't.

Remember them tomorrow and always.

Memorial Day is every day, really....

 

Been in the hospital

 Went to see Dr.A, my cancer doctor on Thursday as I do every 6 months. I was, once more, cancer free. But after I got home she got my blood tests and told me my sodium content in my blood was dangerously low and sent me to the emergency room.

Sure enough, it was so low they admitted me to the hospital.

I was there Thurs./Fri. and Saturday and was discharged Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. My levels were back in the safe zone.

Oddly enough, I had none of the symptoms they kept repeating to me. I mentioned that to a male nurse who said, "don't be confused--be thankful. Those symptoms aren't any you want, believe me."

I did believe him and am thankful.

I feel like a pin cushion because they drew blood three times each day and poked me in places I've never been poked!

But I'm home now and still thankful to the symptom-gods and to all the staff who got me well enough to come home.

That's why I haven't written here. I have a dumb phone and can't do e-mails of my blog on it.

Back and thankful.

And to the folks at Trinity Church who prayed for me and took care of things today since wasn't there--thank you too....

What's up with the chill?

 It's the 21st of May--only 10 days from June--and the high temperature today is 50!

Experts say it's an 'Arctic Blast', or something like that.

I think President What's-His-Name has pissed off the weather gods and they are punishing us for electing him.

That's just me talkin'--or more accurately, just me typing.

I was talking to another priest at the Clergy Conference who said he hated the heat.

Well, I hate the chill.

I hope he's happy today.

I, most certainly, am not....

Done with clergy conference

 It's over! Whew!

I left right before lunch (don't tell the bishops!) and had lunch at home.

Tomorrow I go to Trinity for Bible Study.

Thursday I go to the dentist to be told about my implant.

Friday I see Dr. Alsamari.

Busy week compared to most.

I like less-busy a lot.

I read the lessons for Sunday and are letting them soak in before I write a sermon.

I like sermons a lot.

That's why I keep doing ministry though I'm 78.

I know I've told you before--if I'm not behind an altar or in a pulpit, I'm not sure I would go to church at all....

Shame on me....

Well, the first day is over....

 The first day of Clergy Conference is over....Well, for me it was over about 11:30. I left and came home.

If you talk to a bishop don't tell him or her that!

The speaker, who was going to speak all day, was very good.

She was talking about Clergy responsibilities in matters that may be suspect. At a break, Mike and I talked about it. It was for large churches, that are about a third of those in CT. We are both part-time--very, in my case--in very small churches.

And, both of us, being ordained for decades, already knew the stuff she was talking about.

So, I sneaked out.

I'll try again tomorrow, if I can.

The thing that amazed me is that I've been a priest in CT for over 30 years and I could count the number of people out of over 200, that I knew well on two hands.

Amazing how things change when you're not paying attention....

Clergy Conference

 Clergy Conference is tomorrow and Tuesday in Bristol.

I don't like Clergy Conference.

I like most clergy and our bishops.

But I don't like to be around them for 2 days!

I have to watch what I say and not say it to the wrong person.

Alas, but it is coming!

I tried to think of some way to get out of it but have failed.

So, I guess I'll go and try to sneak out early....

Friday and Saturday

 They're here and it means cleaning day in the Bradley home.

Let me rephrase that: it means cleaning day for Bern, I just try to stay out of the way!

Friday is downstairs. Wood floors are waxed and rugs are hit with the vaccum cleaner. Everything is spotless when she finishes. She even washes the appliances.

Tomorrow is upstairs. Change the bed and same thing--spotless when she stops. She neatens up my desk, which is good since I'm not neat.

I'm writing this in case anyone thought yesterday's post--that she is in charge of Brigit--was a complaint.

I love being taken care of.

Here's all I do: I handle the garbage and recycle stuff. I go to the store and cook dinner every other day. I take bottles back to the store. I wash my own clothes--and only 'mine'! And I keep my car full of gas.

That's the extent of my duties.

And I like it that way.

I married the right woman.

Bern and me and Brigit

 I just took Brigit out to pee and she did.

We come back in and I head to the treat jar.

But Brigit had some of our food after dinner and Bern said, "Brig, you had a big bite." That freezes me as I reach for the treat jar.

Bern is more disciplined with Brigit than I am. I would have given her a treat in spite of her 'big bite'.

But Bern is in control--as she is in most things.

Though she is more disciplined, Brigit love her more than me.

Go figure.

So, no treat when Bern says 'no treat'.

I wouldn't cross Bern--even for Brigit....

Bible Study

 We're reading the Gnostic Gospels in Bible Study at Trinity.

Some of it is familiar--similar to the 4 Gospels--but much of it is strange and hard to explain.

Lots of questions--some of which I really can't answer--but many of which I can...to no desired end.

I'll see how long we can keep this up before having to do something else.

We shall see....

At Last!

 I finally got my tooth pulled and a temporary replacement.

Now, when they call again, I'll have the temporary pulled and get a dental plate with one tooth.

Then she will put in a three tooth bridge and I'll be ready to go.

She told me to be very careful with the temp. "It's for smiles only," she told me, "don't bite down with it.

A ways to go, but at least we're on the road to then.

More news when I have it.

But you're probably tired of hearing about my dental issues.

I sure am....

Looking back on Mother's Day

 Bern heard from both our kids--Josh sent flowers.

I gave her a card and candy she must have loved because she didn't offer me any.

I spent time remembering my mother.

She died when I was in college.

My memories of her have faded--as memories do.

But I still miss her and regret she never met my wife and her grand-children.

Some days cause more pain that others....

Church was good...

It was a good crowd for the little church. The music, as always was great--Trinity is so lucky to have it's musician. He could work anywhere but he stays with us.

My sermon was well received. 

Coffee hour was good as well.

And it was warm enough!

I'm a real nut about being warm.... 

Finally, no rain....

 The sun is shining bright on Saturday afternoon. It's rained for several days that seem like several weeks.

Still a little cool for my taste, but not real bad.

I finished my sermon this morning--pretty late for me.

Looking forward to church--next Sunday off.

I've become really attached to this little church in the northern part of the state. Great people who are generous and kind and serve the poor in several ways.

Not a bad life.

Bern got beautiful flowers from our son and his kids.

I gave her salted caramel candy and a card she really liked.

She'll hear from Mimi tomorrow, no doubt.

Now, if I can just get this darned tooth fixed....

A friend told me....

One of my best friends from high school and college replied to my post about Tabitha and Dorcas to tell me a friend from college was dating a woman named Dorcas.

I didn't remember, but then I did.

I always need people looking over my shoulder to straighten me out.

That's the kind of guy I am.

Corrections are always valuable.

They make us stay within the lines.

And staying within the lines is a good thing.

At least, I think so....

 

Nightmares....

 A horrible nightmare woke me at 2:37 a.m.

I thought I'd never get back to sleep, but I did.

I slept to 9 a.m.

And I have no memory of what the nightmare was.

Sometimes it's good to be getting old and not remembering things.

This is one of those times....

Rainy Tuesday

 Rained almost all day. Around 6 I saw a strange yellow thing in the sky--the Sun?

Went to the Library to get some books.

I read a lot...more than I watch TV.

Sunday's lesson from Acts has Tabitha in it--who Peter raises from the dead. Her Greek name is Dorcas.

I don't know anyone with either of those names.

Wish I did....

Tabitha is a great name.

Bible Study tomorrow at Trinity. We're reading the Gospel of Thomas from the Gnostic Gospels. Should be interesting.

Dentist stuff....

I went back to my dentist about my loose front tooth.

She gave me three options: 1. implant, 2. 3 crowns, 3. a dental device better than the one I'll get in the meantime.

I think I'm going with crowns. Most of all because she can do that and not an implant--I'd have to go to a dental surgeon for that and dental surgery is not on my list of things I want to do. Plus, it might not work.

So, I'll call her tomorrow and we'll got from there.

I wish I didn't have a dentist--but too late for that.

Wish me luck....

 

Good Sunday

 Church was great--fewer people than usual but two of the regulars are in a play that had a matinee. 

I came home to scrambled egg and turkey sausage. Brigit enjoyed the left-overs.

I've played Solitaire and Hearts on my computer and done well.

I made new food for Brigit and went out to get Pinot Grigio.

Which I'm enjoying as I write this waiting for Bern to call me to dinner in the TV room--just before 6.

I also finished a David Rosenfelt book and loved it.

What could be wrong?

Rain is not a problem--we have roofs on our porches.

Life is good--so Good.

Thank you, God....

Wish I had gone

 There was an anti-Trump demonstration today in front of Town Hall and across the street. Maybe 100 people.

I waved at a guy holding a sign that said "Vets deserve more" and he leaped and yelled and waved back.

I wish I had gone.

I hope many more will happen.

Our democracy is in peril with this president.

Lord God, save us....

Friday--sermon day

 I wrote my sermon this morning--lots of great readings....

The conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus--Jesus asks why Saul is persecuting him. Light blinds Saul until a Jesus follower gives him his sight back. He hadn't eaten for three days, so after he eats he is baptized and becomes Paul of Christian fame.

The disciples fish all night and catch nothing until Jesus tells them in the morning to cast their nets to the right side. They do and catch so many fish they have trouble to bring them to shore. The resurrected Jesus cooks fish and loaves and feeds them. (Good to know we'll be able to eat after we die!!)

Then he asks Peter three times if he loves him. And tells him to feed his lambs and sheep. He even tells Peter how he will die and Peter goes out to do the Lord's work.

All great. But then in Revelations thousands of angels are singing to God and Jesus. I ask people to imagine hearing that song when they come to communion.

Not a bad sermon.

I'll preach it on Sunday and hope to hear the angels sing....

Not a memorial day

 I took my car to be serviced at 8 a.m., which means I got up before I like to.

Then I went to get the shots I get for my allergies at 2 p.m.

Not much else happened.

May Day was boring for me.

But there were demonstrations nation wide against the President. That's good.

I did watch Jeopardy and the champ won by 20,000 dollars.

Boring.

So I have nothing of interest to tell you.

Sorry....

I wasn't wrong!

 The Bible Study was very animated and exciting.

People really came down hard on MM. Some were thrilled with her and some were worried about her....

Lots of back and forth.

Some people kept referring to the 4 Biblical Gospels.

Others were entranced with the newness and strangeness of MM.

One person found a painting of the Last Supper on their phone and insisted MM was one of the people at the table. Others disagreed.

I love encounters like that!

Next week--the Gospel of Phillip. 

We shall see....

Wednesday Bible Study

I've been at Trinity long enough that we've studied most of the Bible.

So tomorrow we start on the Gnostic Gospels. I think it will reveal to the folks who come that Christianity isn't as cut and dry as we seem to believe.

We start with the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. It was written in the first or second century and paints MM as a close disciple of the Lord. In fact she teaches the other disciples things they had not known or thought about.

This was before the Creeds and the 'maleness' of the ministry.

It is a fascinating book although the first few chapters have never been found.

Good conversation will come out. The folks who come have opinions and are not shy to share them!

 

Save public education!

 Attacks by Trump on groups overseeing education is bad enough!

But now Right Wing parents want to ban books having to do with LGBQ issues and other liberal (so called) agendas.

As someone who went to public schools for 16 years, I feel fear for those who are going through it now.

We must speak out and 'ban' the banners and keep public education truly 'public'--to include all people.

Do what you can to save our public schools.

Please.

Oh Lord, Lakers...

The LA Lakers just went down 3 games to 1 in a 7 game playoff!

Why do I care, you may ask?

Because Jerry West, the greatest athlete in West Virginia history--I was born, grew up and went to college in West Virginia--played for the Lakers--that made them my favorite team.

Now  they have to win 3 in a row.

Good luck with that!

Go Lakers....  

 

No Church Sunday

 I'm off today. My contract is for 3 Sundays a month. So I'm off today.

I slept late, went grocery shopping early, finished a book and started another, played Solitaire and Hearts on line and now I'm drinking Pinot Grigio (which is the way to spell it though my blogger account underlined both words in red!)

I fix dinner tonight. We'll watch some TV and then off to bed.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday but I miss the folks at Trinity....

 

Visit with J.

 Bern and I went to visit our friend J. in the care home where he is.

He's been my friend since college and Bern loves him too.

She goes to see him more than I do--I can't stand to see him bedridden and in pain.

He seemed better than he did to our friends who visited him yesterday. They said he wasn't coherent and talkative. But he talked a lot with us and made good sense.

It's still awful to see him like that.

I'll take him communion next week and anoint him for healing.

I pray he can get better.

What is he up to?

"The" president--I write it that way because he is not 'my' president--I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him...which is not far!

Shrinking the federal government is one thing--a wrong thing, I believe. But his attack on colleges and universities for teaching things about the reality of our country is another.

I have an M.T.S. from Harvard and I'm so proud they are standing up to him. I hope all the schools do the same.

A judge has halted his de-funding of higher education, but the next time Trump obeys a judge will be the first.

We're only a few months into his presidency, but he is creating chaos in the nation of my birth and the country I love.

God help us.

Please, God, help us....

 

Warm at last

 Today it was in the low 70's. I'm happy again!

We did Bible Study at Trinity. We're going to read the Gnostic Gospels which weren't found until 1945 though they were written in the first three centuries A.D.

They are very interesting and a bit surprising.

I think people will be delighted by them.

We'll see....

Dental niightmare!

 Last week I fell. (I'm fall prone, I'm afraid).

Besides some cuts and bruises I busted my lip and loosened one of my front teeth.

The dentist today told me I had to choose: pull it and wear a one tooth dental devise or else try to save it (which didn't think she could.)

Pretty awful choice!

When I get her email I'll have to decide.

Alas and alack....

A Great Easter!

We rented a house in Washington, CT for Easter.

Five bed rooms and bathrooms, a swimming pool and hot tub, a trampoline and play room. Amazing.

Josh and his three teenage kids, Mimi, Tim and Eleanor (who is 7) and Bern and me--9 people.

We had a great time. It was even warm enough to get in the pool.

Good food, good wine and beer and great company.

Josh took me to church on Easter--12 minutes away--and it was a wondrous celebration! Organ and trumpet and solo for the music and I got lots of feed back on my sermon.

Being with kids and grandchildren on Easter is resurrection in itself.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

 

Easter journey

 We rented a 5 bedroom house in Litchfield County for ourselves. our kids an grandkids.

We're leaving Sat. afternoon and come back Mon. morning. So, no more posts until then.

Have a GREAT AND THANKFUL EASTER!

"Good" Friday

 That's what we Christians call it, though it was the day the person we say in the son of God died then.

Kind of odd--but understandable.

It wasn't Jesus' teaching or miracles that gives us hope--it was his death on a cross.

So, knowing on Easter he will rise makes the day he died 'good'.

Rather odd to non-Christians, but makes perfect sense to us.

Celebrate Good Friday with the joy that comes on Sunday....

Oh, one other thing...

 Today is also my birthday--another favorite day of mine.

I got lots of greetings in email and messages and in person at church this afternoon.

My God, I'm 78!

I feel about 40 and think like a teenager....

Maundy Thursday

 We celebrated the Holy Day with two other congregations.

There was another priest.

He celebrated (and is certainly much higher church than me!) while I read and gave a short homily.

I described Maundy Thursday as my favorite holy day for two reasons: washing people's feet is a very intimate experience--showing love for each other and Jesus commanded; and, we eat and drink--two things I love to do!

We two priests washed each others feet, then others came forward and most of them washed the feet on the next person.

The Singers from the other church in Litchfield were great!

Then we had soup--many choices, bread, wine and dessert. 

A good time was had by all.

My favorite Holy Day....

Lazy Holy Tuesday

 I did next to nothing today.

That's becoming common for me.

I got up at 8:30 a.m. Played games on line.

Ate cereal and fruit.

Read a bit.

Played games on line.

Ate turkey sausage and egg for lunch.

Read a bit.

Played games on line.

Dinner is soon--Bern is doing it.

I did take out the trash to be picked up Wednesday morning.

Played games on line.

Read a bit.

I will watch TV news with dinner and a game show I love at 7 p.m.

I'll read a bit.

I'll play games on line.

Not an exhausting Tuesday.

Never is....

Voting for Harvard

Today I got the ballot for Harvard's Board of Directors.

I went there for two years--years ago and got an MTS--Master of Theological Studies--which is enough to be a Sunday School teacher.

But here I am deciding who should oversee the University.

I'll vote for Black, Hispanic and Asian folks--since I trust them more than white Harvard folks.

Who knows what difference it will make?

Not me....

 

Palm Sunday

We met the Congregational Church on the road in front of Trinity.

It was suppose to be on the Green across the road, but there were a few inches of snow there.

We blessed the palms and went our seperate ways.

Palm Sunday for Episcopalians includes a lenghty reading of the Passion, this year from Luke. People take parts and it is really nice, though long.

Then I say communion, but don't break the bread.

After that comes Prayers of the People, Confession, Absolution and the Passing of the peace.

Then Offering is taken and I finally break the bread for communion.

Whew! Hard to do it that way. I had to keep looking at the bulletin to make sure I was where I should be.

And today was the second "Undey Sunday" which I can't spell and when people bring underwear to give to the homeless.

Trinity does good things for those in need--quite a lot for such a little church.

Bless them....

 

Palm Sunday tomorrow

 We'll begin Palm Sunday outside with folks from the Congregational Church. We'll bless the Palms, have a few prayers and a short Gospel then go to our respective churches.

On Palm Sunday Episcopalians read a long, long passage from Luke describing the Passion of Christ.

Then there will be communion and coffee hour.

Holy week begins with Palm Sunday.

Lots of stuff to do this week--which is also the week of my birthday.

On Maundy Thursday of all days!

New Yorker cartoon

 I love the New Yorker magazine. It's mailed to me every month.

The latest edition has a cartoon I loved.

Jesus is sitting in the middle of a table and his 12 disciples are gathered around him, all standing.

On the table is a loaf of bread, a glass of wine and a chocolate bunny rabbit.

Jesus says: "The bread is my body, the wine is my blood and the chocolate bunny is a Spring treat."

Amazing!

Windy Wednesday

This morning the wind was blowing hard. It's died down now, after 2 p.m.

But still chilly. Right around freezing.

Will Spring never be sprung?

I haven't done much of anything today. After Easter we restart the Wednesday Bible Study at Trinity. Then I'll have purpose on Wednesdays.

Today was playing Hearts on line, watching YouTube and reading a bit of a novel by David Rosenfelt--my favorite author. 

It's Bern's day to cook dinner so I didn't have to go to the grocery store or think about what to fix us.

I will watch Jeopardy at 7 tonight.

Not sure after that.

Not a very newsworthy day for me....

 

Costco

 I have a Costco credit card. Every year it gives me back a small bit of what I've spent. This year it was $436.00.

Not bad. But we have to go to Costco to cash it.

I hate going to Costco.

It's too big, too busy and I never find a parking place within 50 yards of the entrance.

We went  and Bern and I couldn't find the paper products because it's so damn big!

We got a few things and I hated every minute we were there.

On the way home Bern told me she hated it too.

A good thing to hate for our relationship....

U Conn women

 They won again!

Geno and his team took the all-time record for winning the national championship away from UCLA's men.

And they won going away.

I'm not that much into basketball--except for the Lakers--but I was impressed greatly by this game.

GO HUSKIES!!!!

Church today

It was the smallest congregation since I've been at Trinity.

Twelve people and only nine received communion.

The last Sunday of Lent.

Where was every body?

Who knows?

Let's see what Palm Sunday looks like.

I'm sad about today.

 

More than well....

 The funeral for J.H. went well...more than well.

Her son did the speaking.

I told him that I hoped someone would say something that nice at my funeral. And I meant it.

Not a large crowd--30 or so--but a very attentive one.

Eucharist went flawlessly with the burial office.

Lots of food afterwards.

Funerals aren't my favorite thing, but this one went more than well....

Funeral tomorrow

 I have a funeral tomorrow of someone I never met.

Those are the worst.

But her son is giving the sermon.

She was a great member of Trinity before I got there.

I'll do communion.

There is no interment.

It will be fine.

I hate when people die....

April 'fool'

Just before I went online for my Tuesday group, I read an article in Trinity Church's newsletter.

B.S. who creates the newsletter posted about a mall being built on the Green in front of Trinity. It was fascinating.

I couldn't image how it would happen, but looked forward to watching it go up.

Then, an hour afterwards, one of the people on my facebook group who lives in Florida said: "We had two inches of snow last night."

I was amazed--then he said, "April fool."

Then I realized the newsletter was an April Fool's joke.

I am really an April Fool....

 

Tommorrow

Tomorrow is Bern's birthday.

For 15 days, until my birthday, she is only 2 years younger than me!

We were high school sweethearts. I met her because I thought I might need a foreign language for some of the colleges I was applying to.

But it was Latin 1. I was a senior and she was a freshman but both in the same class.

Latin was the only foreign language offered at our little high school

I went to college and three years later she joined me at WVU.

I then went to Harvard Divinity School and after a year came home and we were married. She went to college in Boston the next year.

Then we moved back to Morgantown and I was a social worker while she finished college.

That was a long time ago.

54 years, believe it or not!

Two kids and four grandkids later, here we are.

I love her so, so much.

She is my wife and she is my life.

Happy birthday, Bern....

 

talking with a bird

I was out on the back porch this afternoon and heard a bird call.

It was something like "tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet-tweet, tweet."

So I whistled it as close as I could.

The bird answered back with an extra 'tweet'.

 I responded.

We did it 10 times and I was amazed.

I was talking with a bird!

Though I have no idea what either of us were saying....

 

Finished our taxes!

 I worked for five hours today and am ready to go to H&R Block tomorrow!

Yea!!!

It gets harder to get done every year.

We save all the right stuff--but a year's worth of stuff is STUFF!

But it's done and I'm so relieved.

Probably owe taxes, but we'll see.

John's birthday

I've known him since 1972.

He's a West Virginian, like me.

We've been through a lot together.

Several months ago he fell down the stairs from his apartment and has been recovering ever since.

We're going to his birthday party tonight. There will be lots of mutual friends there.

We gave him a wide wheel chair as his gift. I don't know how long he will continue to need it. Not long, I pray.

I haven't visited him as much as Bern has since the accident.

I just can't stand to see him like that.

I love him too much.

Alas.

Wednesday

 Usually, on Wednesdays I go up to Milton for Bible Study.

But it's cancelled until after Easter.

So, I'm off on Wednesdays.

I'm also off this coming Sunday.

This is what being truly retired is like.

I'm not sure I enjoy it.

But Palm Sunday and Easter are coming.

I look forward to it, so very, very much.

Alas....

Doing taxes

 I'm terrible at doing taxes. I have our dining room table covered with paper and I'm not done.

I have an appointment at H@R Block on Monday, so I better hurry up.

I never believed my retired priest friends who told me I'd be better off financially when I retired.

But I am--retired and still working part time.

The church pension fund is great--so is social security and Trinity Church, Milton.

We're doing well.

Had to open an account at a new bank months ago when we reached the limit on what our bank would guarantee.

Money isn't a problem.

Doing taxes is!!! 

Rainy, rainy day

 It's been raining all day.

In fact, it seems like it's been raining since Trump took office.

The things he and Musk are doing break my heart and pour rain on my head.

Courts are standing up on some of it--but the President seems to ignore the courts in some ways.

Hopefully he is making judges and even the Supreme Court a bit argumentative.

Maybe they can stop the rain or slow it down.

I don't feel safe any more--and I was born in the USA!

People who weren't really don't feel safe.

And for good reason.

God help us....

 

no church today

 I didn't have church today and won't next Sunday either. I celebrate three Sundays a month and March has five.

It doesn't seem like Sunday if I don't have church.

Just another day. A day without a dollar.

People ask me why I'm still working at 77. I tell them "it's the only way I know I'll go to church."

They usually laugh, but it's true.

On days like today and next Sunday I don't go to church.

I love celebrating at church but not just attending.

If that's bad of me, I'm ok with that....

Up to Waterbury Hospital

 I know I said I was doctored out, but getting allergy shots involves only registered nurses.

One of the regular, nice nurses was checking my Epi-pen and getting the shots ready when I heard someone around the corner say, "I know that voice!"

And there she was--Angela--who had been a member of St. John's in Waterbury all of the 21 years I was there.

She had two kids--boy and girl--and I probably baptized one or both of them.

Their all grown up--both married--and the daughter has two children.

She showed me photos on her smart phone--something I can't do since I have a flip phone and don't know how.

We hugged a couple of times and entertained the other nurse with our memories.

All in all, a good trip to the Hospital--and only nurses....

That's the way I like it.

 

A down day

 Nothing much happened today.

I got up at 8:45, had breakfast, read a David Rosenfelt book, had worked a bit on taxes, had lunch. Started another Rosenfelt book and sit here typing.

Oh, I did feed Brigit, our dog and let her in the back yard for a while a few times.

And, oh, I got 15 phone calls which were from no one I know--mostly trying to get money from me.

And, oh, I went out and got Pinot Grllogio, the only wine I drink.

Not that much happened today.

I actually like days like this....

Days when nothing much happens....

I'm doctor-ed out....

I have had a doctor's appointment, blood draw, a doctor's appointment, a dentist visit and will have two shots on Friday.

Enough medical stuff already!

As you get older, you get to know medical providers better.

I also have an x-ray next Thursday.

Enough....

But they keep me walking around and breathing.

That's good.

Better than the option.

So bring on the medical people....

 

Fog, Fog, More Fog...

Going up to Milton today for church, I drove through the most fog I've ever driven through.

Litchfield/Milton is up-hill from here, so it got worse the further I drove.

A bit better coming back, but still lots of fog.

From time to time I couldn't see twenty feet in front of me.

But I made it there and back safely.

God blesses us in fog.

I guess.

 

Lent II sermon

 I wrote my sermon for tomorrow in record speed--maybe 20 minutes.

I did something I never do, I talked about all the lessons and the collect of the day. I seldom like them all--but these I loved.

The sermon came out so seamlessly that I didn't re-read it in case it was awful.

The folks at Trinity, Milton will see and hear if that's true or not tomorrow!

Me and my esophagus

 I was told quite a few years ago that I had a quite narrow esophagus. That is sometimes a problem--like yesterday.

For lunch I had leftover chicken with rice and peas. On my last bite I obviously didn't chew enough and a piece of chicken got stuck.

I couldn't get anything to go down--not even water.

Every 15 minutes I had to go to the toilet and cough up my saliva.

I couldn't eat dinner or drink anything.

Bern did the heimlich manuever (however you spell it!) and massaged me in the stomach. I even jumped up and down some though my knees don't let me jump high at all.

So, I went to bed with a small trash can by the bed in case I needed it.

I threw up twice more then went to sleep.

This morning it had passed and I was fine.

I've just got to always chew very well.

Alas for aging....

Trouble with Washer

 Our washing machine broke down what seems like a year ago--though it's probably just a month.

Bern has been going to the place with machines to wash clothes.

But I have always washed my own clothes.

I miss it.

We bought a new washer but the delivery was a week later and we didn't have the right valves. So a plumber had to come.

Waited to have it hooked up but the hose wasn't long enough.

Went to buy a hose extender, but had to order it and it hasn't come yet.

Then the washer guy has to come and install it.

All this delay and trouble over dirty clothes.

Amazing!

Maybe we should go down to the river and wash them.

Probably not since most rivers are polluted and the current administration isn't caring about things like that.

I just want our washer to be here!

Warm, but not warm enough....

This week has been the warmest in several months.

But not warm enough for me.

I love warmth--the older I get, the more I love it.

Says something about me, I guess.

But come on Spring and Summer.

I miss you.

Just me talking--or, more correctly--typing.

See you soon, I hope.

 

I hate the first day of Daylight savings time...

...usually because I have to go to church, preach and stay awake during the Eucharist.

I told Bern that Daylight savings time should be taking off ten minutes a day for six days.

She said, "that's a great idea!"

But I know she didn't mean it.

I've felt beat up for the whole day.

Driving to Milton made me crazy.

I think 10 minutes a day for six days IS a great idea.

 

Lent 1

On the first Sunday in Lent this year, Luke takes us into the wilderness to watch Jesus be tempted by Satan. 

It is hard to read and react to.

All of us have experienced 'temptation'--and sometimes given in to it.

But not Jesus.

He rejects the devil at every point.

Good for him!

And better for us, because Jesus is on our side and will comfort us and protect us when we are tempted.

Let us pray we do not give in to temptation....

 

My Dad

I've been looking at the hundreds of pictures I have in the drawers of my desk and seeing my Dad a lot.

He was a cold miner until WW2 and when he came back he couldn't go back in the mines. He worked at my Uncle Russel's grocery store (as I did) and then became an insurance sales man.

He was kind and gracious to me.

I miss him to this day.

A good man.

A miner, a soldier, a grocery store worker, an insurance salesman.

I miss him greatly.

 

how well it went

 We did Ash Wednesday at noon.

There were more people than I imagined their would be--nearly 20--6 of whom I did not know until I introduced myself.

I gave a short homily on "Ashes, Ashes, all fall down."

The music was wondrous. Passing the peace joyful.

One of the people there emailed me to say how moved they were by the service. It was their first Ash Wednesday service and they wanted to let me know how deeply it affected them.

Emails like that are a gift from God....

Ash Wednesday

 Ash Wednesday is upon us.

Remember the childhood saying: "Ring around the roses, Pocket full of posies, Ashes, Ashes, All fall down"?

We are dust and ashes and we will return there.

Not a hopeful day, except for Jesus' promise in Luke that if we 'do good' in secret, God will reward us.

We shall know when we know.

Tomorrow...

 ...is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

    My sermon is called "In the Presence of God".

    All the readings and the collect refer, in one way or another, to being in the presence of God.

    I want the Parishioners and me to long for the presence of God.

    I tell a them about my last conversation with my father--who had been senile for 3 years. He was in the hospital and we had the best conversation we'd had in all those years. It was as if we were in the presence of God and God gave me my father back for 45 minutes.

    By the time I got home, the hospital called and he had died.

    I went back to sit with his body. A Catholic priest came by to ask if I wanted him to give Dad 'last rites'.

    My father was a Baptist and then a Methodist, but my experience of that last conversation let me be open to anything.

    So, he had Catholic 'last rites'!

    I'll tell people tomorrow that we are 'in the presence of God' when the bread and wine are blessed and become the Body and Blood of Christ.

    I pray they'll believe me, because I believe it so profoundly.

 

He's lost his mind!

The way our President treated the President of Ukrain today was deplorable. Zelenskyy is an ally, not the enemy.

Russia is the enemy of both countries.

Has he lost his mind?

Been to the grocery store lately?

He was going to bring down food costs, but they have gone up.

And firing the U.S.'s workforce--what evil can that do?

Even MAGA folks are turning on him and Republicans in the Congress,

About time, I would say, but it's too late for that....

God help us.

 

Living on the cold side of the street

 Across the street--on the north side of Cornwall Avenue--all the snow has melted in the front yards.

On our side--the south side--front yards are still covered by snow.

I've never figured out why that is--but it always is.

Living on the cold side of the street means it's difficult to put out the trash and recycle bins.

Tuesday I was having trouble getting the recycling up on 5 inches or more of snow. A guy walking down the street came over. He pulled and I pushed and we did it.

What a nice guy. He was walking on the warm side--the only side that has a sidewalk. 

I should have given him a hug--cold as my hug might be.

Dentist yesterday

 I went to a new dentist yesterday.

My dentist for years retired about a year ago. So I needed a new one.'

The woman who cleaned my teeth was wonderful and funny.

But the dentist wanted me to have a 'deep cleaning'. That would require two visits and being numbed each time.

I turned it down.

I'm 77--how many decades do I have left.

My teeth will be fine until I'm not....

Alas....

Whoever you were, I want to thank you

Someone who reads this blog sent a letter to Bern with a copy of my Valentine's Day post.

She hadn't read it on-line and was very pleased to read it.

Whoever did that, if you will, send me an email at Padrejgb@aol.com to let me know.

I'd like to thank you personally.

It was a kind and loving thing to do.

People like whoever did that make the world more gracious and loving.

Thank you again.

 

Almost well

 I went to see my Orthopedic doctor today.

I fell down several months ago and broke my shoulder bone and my thumb.

The thumb is perfectly healed--that I'm typing with all ten fingers shows that.

My shoulder is almost healed. I don't need pain meds in the day and don't wear an Icy-Hot patch any more. I do take 2 pain pills at night.

It sometimes hurts--but not nearly as much as it did before.

He didn't give me another appointment, so he thinks I'll be fine.

He told me that his 4 year old daughter is already reading!

She'll be bored in Kindergarten and First Grade....

Finally, a little thaw...

 It got almost to 40 degrees today, so some of the ice melted.

Not nearly enough.

But this week is going to be in the 40's almost to 50, so that will help.

I hope so.

I'm tired of snow and ice.

Really tired.

Come on Spring!

But I wore a sport's coat to church and a hoodie the rest of the day.

That's better....

Love

 My sermon tomorrow is about 'love'.

The collect says that anything we do without love means nothing.

The Old Testament lesson is Joseph welcoming the brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt to join him--now an important man--and escape the famine in Israel.

Joseph loves those who made him a slave.

Amazing.

But Jesus goes further--"Love those who hate you", he says.

Along with many other difficult commandments.

Love is difficult.

But love is what matters.

Really....

The President is driving me crazy

 Trump and Musk are leadig us down an unknown path.

Blaming the wrong side for the war between Russia and Ukrain is bad enough, but firing federal employees for no real reason is worse.

I feel like I'm living in an alternate universe.

Nothing makes sense with what Trump and his loyalists are doing.

I may implode.

I don't know.

What the hell can we do.

Lots of folks--including some Republicans are objecting.

But what's the chance they'll be heard?

God help us!

Really, we need God's help with these idiots....

Really....

I'M ON YOUTUBE!!!

 I was looking at You Tube--as I do almost every day and saw a link to me talking about "Under the Castor Oil Tree", my blog!

I have no idea who put it on You Tube--none at all--or Why they did.

But, I showed it to Bern and she was impressed--and she's not easily impressed....

So, I'm a You Tube guy.

Only 11 views in 4 years.

Not so hot a You Tube guy....

Alas....

Ice wins again

Today I drove up to Milton for our Wednesday Bible study.

When I got there, R. was in her car and yelled to me: (Jim, stay in your car.)

I take orders well and did.

A few minutes later, G. the Junior Warden arrived. I got out to say "hello" and realized that the parking lot was covered with a glaze of ice.

G. decided nobody should walk on it and sent me home.

He'll have it sanded by Sunday.

Ice--how great thou art!

 

Sunday is back--I hope!

 It looks like we can have church on Sunday--YES!

We've missed the last two and I've not been happy.

I only go to church when I'm celebrating--I've told you that--but missing two Sundays makes me reconsider.

I miss church.

I really do.

So, I hope the weather holds and we can be together in Milton.

I've missed those folks.

Really missed.

I need to get back in the game....

Ice Rules!

 Today I would normally put out the trash and recycling for pickup tomorrow.

Bern has pretty much cleared our walk to the driveway but the walkway to the back porch is iced over. Pulling the trash and recycling out to the front yard would be dangerous.

Besides with a foot or so iced-over snow in the yard, how would I get them away from the walkway and out from under the tree there?

Wait a week for trash and two weeks for recycling. 

We have two recycling bins, so that will work.

The ICE RULES!!!

Cable is back

 We lost our cable connection sometime on Sunday--no internet, no TV and no phone land-lines.

It finally came back mid-morning on Monday.

It's embarrassing to notice how much we depend on cable....

Probally a good call

 It's 4 p.m. in Cheshire and is already snowing.

Could be a big storm.

We shall see.

I'll try to remember to pray tomorrow to make up for not having church.

I'm sorry to say, my personal prayer life is not that intense.

Hard to say as an Episcopal priest.

But there it is.

Someday I'll maybe learn if I should have prayed more.

Maybe.

Even that is an odd 'priest confession'.

But confession is, I DO believe, good for the soul.

No church again romorrow

Trinity, Milton is cancelled again tomorrow--two in a row.

Snow turning to a freezing mix is the reason.

So, no sermon again.

And sleeping in is good!

 

Valentine Day is tomorrow

 I gave Bern yellow roses today since I didn't think I could get them early enough tomorrow.

I've got a few other things and a card I'll leave in the kitchen tonight since I go to bed later than her.

In September we'll have been married 55 years.

She is not the love of my life--she is my life!

I love her so, so much.

I trust she knows that....

Mike L. is a great guy

 On April 5th I'm doing a funeral for a woman I never met but who was a long-time member before she moved away.

I met with her son, Mike, today and was glad to know he has mapped out the service wonderfully!

He'll even do the homily, which frees me from talking about someone I never met.

"She would have wanted Que Sara Sara at some point," he told Gene and me. That's perfect for Trinity since the prelude and postlude are more likely to be popular and familiar music.

As he and Gene talked about her, I wish I had met her and that she would have been part of my life.

snowy night and strange day

 It snowed a ton last night. Trinity was right to cancel church. I couldn't have gotten out of our driveway at 8:15 am, when I leave for Milton.

But the day was strange.

Our neighbor Mark cleared the driveway and our walkways. Bless him.

Bern couldn't take Brigit on her morning walk. Much too slick.

I didn't wake up until 9:30--when church would have started except for the snow.

I took a shower, something I never do on Sunday since I have to go to church.

I had breakfast, which I never do on Sunday, looking forward to the great coffee hours at Trinity.

Everything about today felt strange.

Well, there will be the Super Bowl!

 

No Church tomorrow

Odd not to write a sermon.

Odd to be home on a Sunday I was supposed to work.

But church has been cancelled because of the expected snow.

I will enjoy tomorrow because of the Super Bowl!

 Go Chiefs!!!

I'll wear my Chiefs' hoodie as I watch.

Something to look forward to....

 

Not a bad day

 Very slick this morning. Bern and our dog, Brigit both almost fell down on the ice.

Bern did a good job of breaking up ice.

I went to Waterbury Hospital to get the allergy shots I get every two weeks.

When I got back, most ice was gone and it's been sunny all afternoon.

Not a bad day altogether.

Now we brace for Saturday nights storm....

Cheshire schools are closed tomorrow

It's going to snow tonight.

Things are closing down.

The snow and ice Saturday night might cancel church, I learned today at Bible study.

I hate winter....

 

Almost nothing has gone right....

 Trump has been President for 2 weeks and almost nothing has gone right.

And his co-president, Elon Musk has caused a myriad of problems.

Laws have been broken.

Tradition has been ignored.

Wrong has been done.

And what can we do?

I'm not sure.

Pray, at least.

Get involved in issues.

Add ourselves to the opponents of the administration.

Speak up and speak out.

Resist, resist, resist.

Do all we can.

It's going to be a long and troubling four years....

Alas....

Snow on snow....

The snow in our yard had almost melted away.

But I woke up this morning to another 3 inches or so.

It's been warm today, but not enough to melt the snow.

Snow on snow is not the problem. The problem is the cold weather.

I'm always cold.

Eating dinner tonight with a sweater and a jacket on, I told Bern I was so cold.

She had on a long sleeve shirt and a tee shirt and said she was warm and thinking about taking off the long sleeve shirt.

Maybe something's wrong with me.

I'll ask my doctor about it when I see her.

 

Reading my last blog...

I realized I left out all the pictures of my children and grand-children.

Two kids and four grand-kids take up a lot of pictures.

Two of the grand-kids will be going to college next year.

Another is 15 and another is 8.

Unbelievable, all of them.

I love them so.

Bern does facebook with the youngest 3 times a week.

I often peak in and am always greeted warmly.

Life has been long for me (thank God!) and I have been so very, very blessed for such a life and for my children and grandchildren.

Praise be....

 

So many pictures....

 The two drawers on my desk are full of pictures from the past.

Many are of me as I grew up.

Some are from family gatherings--both Bradley family and Jones family.

Many are from churches I have served.

I'm baptizing babies, serving communion, preaching, standing in coffee hour with people I knew from those churches.

In some of them, my hair is still brown!

I look at some of them every day.

They keep me grounded.

Looking at old pictures can cause a smile or a tear.

It's worth doing--believe me,,,,

 

Wrong lessons

Sunday is the Feast of Jesus being presented in the Temple as a child.

But the readings we had at Bible Study were different.

We're going to go with the readings for the presentation in the Temple. People won't have them to read, but will need to listen.

Listening is a valuable thing.

Listening is good.

Listening will make us whole.

We'll see....

 

Falling down

 As I grow older, I am more unsteady.

I fall down--usually coming inside from outside.

Today I fell and broke my glasses.

I don't need them to read or do what I do on-line, but I do need them to drive.

Bern, somehow, found my old glasses and they will let me drive until I see the Eye Doc next week and get new glasses.

We shall see!

(Sorry, I didn't mean to make that allusion.)