A chilly day--more way than one

 After a bunch of warm days, today was chilly.

But so was the national government--it shut down!

Lots of chaos will ensue, depending on how long it lasts.

But the key is trumper and the GOP aren't being 'grand'. They could have made a deal with the Dems if they would only restore the millions and billions of dollars they took away from health care for so many Americans. 

But they wouldn't. They turned a 'chilly shoulder' to that and the US government stopped.

They care more about the wealthy than about normal--never mind 'poor'--people.

A chilly day for us all.

Don't you do it either!

Today in Bible Study we talked about the Council of Nicea held in 325 a.d.

There were lots of interesting things in the discussion.

*Nicea confirmed that Jesus was God, co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. (Many believed he was a 'creation' of God and not God at that time.)

*The date of Easter was established.

*And there were many rules. The first was "clergy cannot self-castrate".

And neither should you....

 

Hearing aids

 I don't wear them all the time--but when I do, I hear much better.

Why not wear them all the time?

I guess I'm in denial.

Bern told me on the porch this morning when I was blaming 'being cold' on the non-central heat of the apartment where I grew up that I was cold because I'm 'old'!

That's my denial.

That I'm old.

But I am....

Alas.

Warm days

 I think I've told you--I'm always chilly.

But the past few days have brought relief. I still wear long sleeves but no jacket on top of that.

Being warm is wondrous.

I recommend it highly.

Everything matters

People protesting Jimmy Kimmel being taken off the air worked.

Everything matters.

Our so-called President is waging war on those he sees as enemies--which is everyone that isn't in lock-step with him.

His cabinet will bend over backwards to please him

We must be ready to fight back, to stand up to oligarchy and refuse to give in.

Small things or giant things--both matter.

Make a list of what you won't stand for and what you will do when it happens.

We must stand together and remember--everything matters....

 

Nicene Creed

 Our Bible Study meeting yesterday was to determine what we would study first.

You could have knocked me off my chair with a feather when the group decided they wanted to dive in depth into the Council of Nicea!

Granted, what happened there in 325 a.d. determined the shape and emphasis of Christianity up until today. But really, even though I have 6 years and three degrees in theology, my knowledge of Nicea and what happened there is scant.

So, I have some work to do to get up to speed.

Luckily, all the members of the group will be diving into the Council and the Creed as well.

Maybe we'll learn from one another.

That's how Bible Study usually works--learning from each other.

Wednesday feels like Sunday

 I went to church today for Bible Study.

I haven't been there on Wednesday for months, so on the way home it began to feel like Sunday.

I knew it wasn't but the feeling was real.

I even tried to find a pro football game on TV!

"Dope", I told myself, "it's Wednesday."

I answered myself back: "but it sure feels like Sunday...."

Jesus and trump

"Love you enemies as you love yourselves," Jesus told us over and again.

Then, at his speech at his friend's funeral, our president rejected the wife's 'forgiveness' of the man who assinated her husband and said "I HATE MY ENEMIES!"

Who's side are you on? 

Car Time

I took my car in for an oil change and they gave me a whole page of stuff that should be done.

I'm 78--I don't have a lot of driving years left and I don't drive that much to begin with.

To do it all would be $1400. And I wouldn't have to do it all at once.

I'm certainly not going to find a used car for less than $10,000, so I'm going to have it all fixed.

Bern agreed.

Cars are wonderful inventions--but they are a pain in the butt.

 

No church today

 Today was my Sunday off.

So, I didn't go to church.

I know most priests who have a Sunday off attend a local church.

I don't.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm really a Christian.

But not often and not for long....

Bewitched, bothered and bewildered...

Windows 11 is coming!

And I have no idea what to do about it.

I may have to get a new computer.

I may lose everything on this one--including my blog.

I just don't know what to do.

Bern has asked some folks and gotten some ideas.

None of which I comprehend.

I just feel like I'm looking over a cliff....

Help!!!

 

I'm an Idiot....

 I went to my personal doctor for a check-up today. Then I went to Marshall's for the fruit and nut stuff I love to put in yougart.

An hour or so later, I was going to go upstairs but noticed my wallet wasn't where I always leave it.

I looked around and checked the sports coat I'd worn and went out to my car to see if it was there.

It wasn't!

I began to lose my mind. All the things I'd need to do....

    *cancel credit cards

    *new driver's licence

    *new library card

    *new united health care and medicare cards

    *the hundred or so dollars in my wallet would be gone

I was about to tell Bern and go back to Marshall's to see if someone turned it in.

But I checked my sports coat again and there it was--in the left hand inner pocket.

I always put it in the right hand pocket.

I'm an idiot...but a relieved one!

Great News!

 Well, not that great....

I stopped taking iron a few days ago and my poop is brown instead of black.

I did go to the heart doctor today and all seems to be well.

I was in the room but it was Bern who talked to her.

I realized again (as if i didn't already know!) that I couldn't have gone through the last 3 or 4 months without Bern.

She knows much more about my medications than I do. She puts them out for me every day.

And she is much more astute about my habits than I am--though they are my habits.

I thank God profoundly every day for Bern and all she does for me.

If not for her, I'd probably be in a rest home for old, sick folks.

Thank you, my love and my life....

Sunday went well...

 My sermon started with the post about my father and turkey.

Then I told the story--again in Waitville--about finding my name on two gravestones in the Baptist Cemetary and realizing I was named after my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. Which I said was good since my father was Virgil and his father was Filbert.

Then I talked about the gospel when Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees for talking with sinners.

He tells the parable about losing one sheep or one coin and how we would leave the others to find the lost one.

Just like Jesus says, we must seek the lost until found.

I mean not just those who are in need, but our own lost feelings, and lost friends and lost beliefs.

We must seek the lost until found....

My father and turkey

         My father grew up on a turkey farm.

    It was not until he was in his 20's, living in a boarding house, working in the coal mines that he tasted turkey.

    He told the woman who ran the boarding house that it was the 'best chicken' he'd ever eaten.

    She had to take him into the kitchen and show him the turkey carcass before he believed her.

    He'd been told, growing up, that only 'city folks' liked turkey.

    You don't eat the cash crop when you live on a farm....

 

I'll write tomorrow

 I need to get some sleep.

Good-night all.

I'll write tomorrow.

Shalom

 

No room for this!

 I wasn't aware of Charlie Kirk being alive before today--the day he was killed by a sniper.

I don't think I would have agreed with anything he proposed. I'm as left-wing as he was right-wing.

But THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THIS in our democracy!

No one should die in our country from a gun shot.

NO ONE!

We should all look in the mirror and realize Charlie Kirk was 'just like us'--a human being with opinions and ideas and ways of seeing things.

Someone 'just like us' was killed by a sniper.

There is no room for this in our democracy.

Guns are a real problem.

Dying from a gun shot is an even greater problem.

There is no room for such things in our country.

It must be stopped.

 

Ginger Ale

I've stopped drinking wine because of my health issues.

But I've gotten hooked on Ginger Ale!

I drink maybe 5 or 6 10oz. cans a day.

I guess I'm a Gingerhaloic....

Thing is, I don't think I've had a Ginger Ale before this for several years.

Chablis I miss you.

But G.A. is filling in until I'm well.

 

Here's another mess Trump has made

Bern went to the Post Office to mail packages to our twin grand-daughters for their birthdays.

They are both in college--one and North-Eastern and one at McGill in Canada.

To send the small package to Canada would cost $56 and provide no 'tracking'. Our grand-daughter would then have to pay almost that much to receive it.

The postal worker explained it had to do with Trump's tariffs and other moves he's made.

Trump has made it ridiculous to send mail to our closest and dearest neighbor!!!

How can our country let him do things like this?

To send mail to Mexico would probably need several armored vehicles and your life savings.

How did we let him do what he's doing?

More importantly, how do we stop it?

And soon....

 

A storm and a sermon

Some of the thunder rolled on and on. It has been raining for a while. Lightening illuminates the trees outside my office window.

It's rain we needed but we don't want the storm to get out of hand.

Tomorrow I'm preaching on a line from the Collect and something Jesus says.

The Collect goes like this: "Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts...."

So, if the prayer is answered we will Trust in only God.

Then Jesus says one of his most disturbing sayings. "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple."

Wow! We must trust and when we do we must hate all we love--even our life itself....

I don't try to explain any of that. I just tell the congregation that they must seek to be "Jesus People"--to do as he did. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger and worship the Lord.

They do all that--donating food and clothing, working in the soup kitchen, have concerts and invite strangers and attend Eucharist.

They truly are--this tiny little church--"Jesus People".

Thank God for them....

 

What a dope!

 I was looking at my emails and suddenly realized it was September 5th and that it was our anniversary....

Just then Bern came up the steps with a card for me.

What a dope I am! I've been so concerned with my health that I let such a vital day creep up on me...

I went out later and visited two flower shops, seeing nothing I liked, and ended up getting Bern flowers from Big Y!

Happy Anniversary to us....

 

Sad day for health

Robert Kennedy, Jr. testified today to a Senate Committee.

He lied, changed his lies and avoided answering most questions.

It is a sad day for health.

He has emptied the federal health system of real experts and replaced them with those who agree with him.

Florida, among other Red states, is making it more difficult, if not improbable, to get vaccines.

He should resign.

He even had Bernie Sanders siding with President Trump on the Covid vaccine!

Not a good day to get healthier....

 

Pondering...

 I've had health problems the last couple of months. I've probably told you more about them in my blog than you wanted to ever know!

But those issues have given me lots to ponder about.

One of them is 'death'.

I've never really thought I was at death's door in these long weeks, but it has caused me to ponder death and dying.

My mother was in her mid-60's when she died. My dad made it to 83.

I'm an only child of them and if you average their death ages I'm already above the average....

So, is it any wonder that I ponder dying while in and out of the hospital and surrounded by doctor appointments?

I haven't reached any  conclusions yet--far from it.

And I must admit that even as an Episcopal priest I have little concept of 'heaven' and 'eternal life'. Not even close.

Death waits for us all. Patient and in no hurry for us.

But it is worth pondering....

A sunny day

Sometimes I like to put my thoughts (multitudes of them!) on the back burner and just look at nature.

Today I did that on the back deck looking at our back yards, the flowers and shrubs there and just be present to the sunny day.

It works, more often than not.

All my concerns, worries, fears and dread simply goes away for a while.

It's just me, our back yard and the sunshine.

I recommend you try it from time to time.

A real oasis of calm in turbulent times.

Try it.

You'll be glad you did.

 

Can the Courts save us (and U.S.)?

 The courts of the US are all that is between us and a trumpian dictator.

Several rulings lately serve to tell us they are doing their job.

For example, only Congress can make tariffs, not the President.

I just heard Ken Burns on MSNBC talking about his faith in America as the 'best country on earth'.

I want to believe him.

I want to stand with him.

I want 'our' country back....

Pray that it will be so.

sorry about that

I shouldn't have posted that thing yesterday about my bowels!

Sorry.

Sometimes I just write without thinking. Or, more precisely, don't think until I've written.

Sometimes good but mostly bad.

I'll try to write about things that aren't as awful as that yesterday.

I could write--for example--about our president....

Oops! that's at least as bad as black poop....

 

This is not for everyone!

Black poop.

My poop is black.

Two doctors told me it was because I'm taking a high dosage of Iron.

(I don't know why I need Iron.)

And I 'do know' I don't like black poop.

I long for days of brown....

 

Labor Day

 Many people spent Labor Day not 'laboring' at all--but having fun, eating well and relaxing.

We should remember those who do 'labor' on the holiday.

Police. Fire-fighters. Doctors and nurses. Our Military folks. People like that.

I'll even say a prayer for the ball-boys and ball-girls at the U.S. Open Tennis Tourney.

Bern is a tennis nut so I watch lots of it with her.

The people who chase down and hold the balls deserve all the praise--even along with the tennis players.

I believe that.

Guns....

My father had three guns: a shot-gun, a hunting rifle and a pistol.

When he was so sick that I had to take him from West Virginia up to Connecticut, where I lived, I turned the guns into the WV State Police.

 I've never had a gun--besides the toy ones of my childhood--and I never will.

Guns, to me, are the work of Satan.

The shootings at the Catholic school and church in Minnesota was enough to prove that to me.

Why can't we have laws that take guns off the streets and out of the hands of people?

Guns Kill!

That's all you need to know.

Let's get guns under control once and for all.

 

Cans and bottles

 I took cans and bottles to Big Y and got $4.90 from them.

Bern hasn't been doing it, though she puts them in the recycle can so they are recycled somehow.

This is the first in my attempt in the next week or so to take back some of my chores that have fallen to Bern.

Take out the trash.

Go grocery shopping.

Cook a dinner.

I have to get back in the works--though truth is, Bern has more chores than me when I'm at my best!

But I have to come back.

I have to....

Get ready for the tyrant's troops

Our 'president'--would be 'dictator'--is ready, he says, to send the National Guard to any Blue state capital with a black mayor. (Well, he hasn't said exactly that, but actions speak louder than words.)

Now, whether he has the power to do this by the Constitution hasn't occurred in his tiny brain. Maybe the courts (slow as they are) will stop him soon.

But will he listen to the courts?

Things are bad and getting worse.

Speak up.

Let people know where you stand.

We must do whatever necessary to preserve our Democracy.

Lord help us....

 

 

It didn't go well

It was 59 degrees when I went on the deck this morning.

A little chilly.

It's 3:35 now and I'm going to try again.

Let's see what it's like....

(Or, more precisely, I'll see what it's like. Unless you're going to join me on the back deck.

You'd be welcome....)

Waking up earlier

 I was up at 7:35 this morning. I've been sleeping until almost 9 most days. But being up early cleared my head. Another beautiful day awaited me.

I've been reading a lot in my semi-retired mode. I love the "Murder she wrote" mysteries and my favorite writer David Rosenfelt. I read and re-read his dozens of books. Good every reading.

My plan to be outside more begins when I finish this blog.

I've got a book and a ginger ale to take with me.

Sitting on the porch will be a joy.

See you there!

A lovely day

I need to pay more attention to nature than my meds!

It's a beautiful late summer day.

I love all the sunshine and all the greenery.

I need to go sit on our front porch or back deck more than I have.

Weather will make you feel well.

And maybe BE WELL.

I need to try it out....

 

more doctors....

 Today I went to see a kidney doctor--though there is absolutely nothing wrong with my kidneys!

She's worried about the sodium level in my blood--it was so low a few weeks ago that I had to go into the hospital.

It's only a little low now.

She went on and on about more water and less salt until I had no idea what she was suggesting.

My ankles are a little swollen and she wants that down--more about water and salt...On and on....

Oh well, we'll see won't we--or 'me', since I'm the one with water and salt issues....

Church

 It was great to be at church today.

I love the folks there and I think they love me as well.

Doesn't get much better than that....

ten lonely days

I didn't realize it until I lost my blog, but writing here makes me feel in touch with lots of people.

Not being able to write Under the Castor Oil Tree left me lonely.

The ten days have seen a lot of changes.

I feel much better--not back to 'normal' but close to it. I still have numerous medicines and doctor appointments--but I'm almost back.

The weather has been mostly hot and air conditioning is a joy--especially for sleeping.

My diet is still strange. No salt. Very few normal foods. Lots of stuff I have to force myself to eat.

I've lost about 25 pounds and the doctors don't want me to gain any of it back.

But I drive and get around. Still don't fix meals every other night like I used to.

Bern has been beyond 'wondrous' to me through all this.

I thank God for her love every day.

Going to church tomorrow--need to work on my sermon.

More later....

 

Bern got it back!!!!

I lost my connection to my blog 10 days ago.

I tried and tried to get it back to no avail. 

Today Bern got it back on one try!

Just one more thing I am thankful to her about.

Now, to catch you up....

(More later.)

 

Sleeping in

 Bern woke me up at 10:20 a.m.!

I slept about 12 hours.

Restful and good.

Up now and doing well.

Except the president is trying to take over Washington, D.C.!

The country had better wake up too, even if it's late in the morning.

This 'want to be King' must be stopped!!!

He must. 

HE MUST....

All was well...until driving home

The drive up (31 miles) and church were both good.

Driving home I became weaker and weaker and it was hard to get out of the car in the driveway.

Three hours later, I'm feeling better. Not 'good' but 'better'.

Now comes a whole week of hopefully progressing.

We shall see.

It was great to be back at Trinity and to see the people there.

Well worth the trip.

 

our 'president'

 I couldn't bring myself to capitalize the "p" since I don't consider djt to be 'MY' President.

He was to meet with Russia's leader in Alaska alone.

Now, 'maybe', the Ukrainian President will be there too....

Our 'president' can't get things straight.

But there will be a ballroom in the White House!

We are in such a mess because of trump.

Pray for our country.

AND--speak out!

Church tomorrow

I plan to drive to Milton tomorrow.

I haven't driven for over a month.

Bern doesn't plan to stop me.

I'm pretty sure it will be okay.

"Getting back to normal" has been a long time coming.

Can I keep it coming?

We shall see tomorrow.

Keep me in your prayers....

 

Brigit

Bern told me that Brigit, our dog, wouldn't come downstairs if not on a leash while I was in the hospital.

And now, being home, Brigit seems worried about me. She hangs around me more than usual and follows me wherever I go.

As I write this she's laying on the floor two feet behind me.

I take her as a good luck charm--and I need one!

Brigit is a dream....

 

Mid-week

Saw my personal doctor today.

She was very open and forth coming.

Answered most of our questions.

I'm hoping to get better each day. We shall see.

The news out of Washington about Epstein and his con-sort is next to nothing.

No surprise there....

 

Better today

 In spite of the non-sense down in Texas, I'm feeling better today.

Legs have stopped itching. Back pain is less. Walking very well.

Bern is going crazy trying to keep up with my Meds and seeing contradictory orders from the doctors.

Alas and Alack!

I've lost all track of baseball and I'm not sure whether to jump back in or not.

Reading a book and a half a day--enjoying that.

But would like to prove to Bern that I can drive so I can cruise around town and do some stuff.

I hope to drive to Milton for church Sunday--really miss church and the folks there.

We shall see....

Hospital again!!!

Just got home again after spending 5 nights in the hospital.

Low sodium in the blood and some other things.

Hard to be in a bed in a hospital when you feel fine--that's the way it was....

Swelling in the ankles and legs is gone. Walking better.

A whole list of doctors to see.

Pain in my back and shoulder from all the time in bed.

When will it all be over????

 

Tuesday

 Sorry I missed writing on the weekend.

Did church Sunday and it went well. The folks up there in M. obviously missed me!

Much goes into getting better. I can walk pretty well although my ankles and feet are still swollen.

I really want to get back to driving. Hopefully, this week I can convince Bern I can do it.

I watch too much news! Any news these days is too much. 24 hours of Epstein and Trump is really exhausting.

I'd like a desert island with classical music--if I could have that.

Little chance!

I have to focus on getting better. Heart doctor tomorrow.

We shall take it one day at a time.

As always....

believing

 Sometimes, after a sermon, someone will say to me, "Jim in that reading today, I'm not sure I believe it's true."

I always shock them by saying, "I''m not sure I believe it either."

The Bible has been edited so much that often it seems like that game "Telephone" where a group of people whisper something to each other and then on to the next person and so on.

What the last person hears isn't even close to what the original saying was.

Just like that.

Wallace Stevens wrote something I always keep in the back of my mind.

Here it is....

"The final belief is to

believe in a fiction,

which you know to be a fiction,

there being nothing else.

The exquisite truth is to know

    that it is a fiction

    and that you believe it it

    willingly."

Try that on and see how it works for you.

 

Old Friends

 I had a phone conversation today with MM, one of my oldest friends.

We went to high school and college together. He was a laugh a minute--or probably 15 seconds.

He was wilder than me--but aren't most people. But we were attached at the hip for all those years.

He reads my blog (bless him!) and wanted to ask about my health.

Things have been popping into my head ever since the call.

Old memories are a treasure.

Thanks MM for stirring my memories.....

A little chill

My office has an air-conditioner and I had to put on long sleeves to keep the chill away.

I'm always colder than Bern.

Tonight with the widows open, I'll wear long-sleeved pajamas.

She'll wear shorts, a tee-shirt and not much cover.

I'm not sure which of us is lucky....

 

Cardio today

 I went to the heart doctor today and met with his physician assistant.

PA's are better to see. They take more time and answer all questions.

She was great.

I was in the exam room with her and Bern and our son, J.

It went well.

She gave me 'water pills' to shrink my ankles and legs.

I start them tomorrow--can't wait. If it gets them down I'll walk a lot better.

She told me that I'd 'pee' a lot.

A doctor wouldn't say 'pee'.

Love those PA's!

A Visit

My son and his--what shall I call her?--"girl-friend"?--are coming to see us today. He and his wife are separated, their 2 twins are off to college in the fall and the youngest (a junior in high school) is shared by both parents.

Seems to be a friendly end to a marriage.

The reason for his coming is to go with us to my cardiologist tomorrow. J. is very out-spoken and critical. I hope he doesn't go for the doctor's throat....

We've never met her and this is a weird time for first impressions since I'm an elderly, foot swollen man with a cane.

We shall see.

I pray it goes well....

 

Waiting for rain

Bern, who is a weather channel junkie, tells me tomorrow will but hot--but with rain!

We really need rain.

Bern mowed the lawn and said that everything was dusty.

When she blew her nose it came out brown!

So, hopefully, tomorrow will bring rain to CT.

At least I'm hoping, if not yet 'praying'....

Praying about weather might not be the right thing to do, considering how many things and people need prayer.

 

Trump's Boy J.E.

 This is sure blowing up!

Trump and dead Epstein have the nation in turmoil.

I have no idea what the truth is.

Truth is not the strong suit of either T or E.

MAGA is shaken to the core.

Trump has no idea how to handle it--nor do any of his staff.

No surprise there!

Sit back and watch it burn....

Enjoy the ride.

Sorry I missed the weekend....

So, I didn't go to church--ride or no ride.

I was having bowel issues and my swollen feet made it hard to walk. So I cancelled on Trinity.

The weekend was uneventful. I stayed upstairs, read, watched TV more than I want to.

Enough about me.

TV is bad because so many terrible things are happening around the world: floods and forest fires, cuts to needed medical supplies, ICE out of hand, tariffs to be imposed on our global friends, Ukrain and the mid-east, a Republican Party that has lost it's integrity and a president who has lost his mind.

I need to read more though I read almost two books a day and Bern has become a regular at the library....

Life is spinning out of control.

Alas and alack!

 

Mystery solved

 One of the members of Trinity has agreed to pick me up and take me home Sunday.

So I have to write a sermon....

It will be fine. I'm a little better every day and walk inside without a cane.

My ankles and feet are still swollen and show no sign of going down.

But a sermon is no problem. I've read the lessons and have ideas already.

I just wish I was well....

Can't drive

The doctor told me not to drive until next week.

I was planning to drive to Trinity for church Sunday.

Bern can't take me.

Them coming for me and taking me home seems too much to ask.

I'm not sure what will happen.

I offered to give a week's worth of my salary back so they can do Morning Prayer.

I'm not sure what will happen.

I'll wait and see....

(I hate this!) 

ICE and (as)SA(u)LT

 Assault by unidentified ICE agents is becoming common.

Latinos especially are being arrested even if they are American citizens with no criminal record.

Trump wants to rid the country of brown skinned people.

Who will be next?

Will we stand up to ICE and Trump-adump or not?

We must.

This is lawless behavior by federal officials.

Call your congress member and your friends.

We MUST do something....

Another day, another doctor

 Saw the surgeon who did my operation today.

He's a huge guy--6 foot 4 inches and over 250 pounds. Glad I was asleep when he cut me open....

Besides that, lots of good tennis and bad national news.

Bern cried listening about the children lost in the Texas flood.

Talks in Washington don't seem to be going right.

Trump's defense of his 'big beautiful bill' makes me feel ill.

But there is Bern and Brigit to comfort me.

I've got to remember to listen to my body and not my mind....

God help me do that....

Tennis, Tennis, Tennis...

 Bern loves tennis.

She thinks tennis is the most difficult of all sports.

After watching a week of Wimbilton with her (forgive my spelling) I think she may be right.

She knows something about all the players--men and women--which amazes me.

I don't know nearly enough about baseball to match her tennis knowledge....

So it goes on until the weekend.

More tennis, tennis, tennis....

Church

Went to church!

I did alright with all the standing.

Did not walk down the center aisle--entered and left from the side with the Chalicist.

Did not have a Bible-based sermon, instead shared five secrets God has given to me in the last 3 weeks.

>Listen to your body. Your mind may tell you you can do something--but listen to your body instead and do what it tells you.

>Pray for patience. It's what we need to get where we need to be--patience, patience, patience....

>Take one day at a time. Don't try to jump ahead. Tomorrow will come after today. Let it be that way.

>Stay in the moment. Take what each moment gives you. Don't think about 'before' or 'after. Let the moment be where you dwell.

>Be profoundly thankful for those who have cared for you: surgeons, doctors, nurses, aides--especially aides for their willingness to do what needs to be done. And, of course, those who wish you well and your family that nurses you back to health.

I'm tired, but fulfilled....

 

One more day....

 Tomorrow I'll see if I can go to Milton to celebrate communion.

I've missed it so.

Bern will take me and G. will bring me home.

Hope it goes well.

I'm walking much more stable with my cane.

Nothing hurts.

We'll see tomorrow....

Independence Day

 The 4th of July has never been a big day for me.

People pretending to celebrate, eating hot dogs, saluting the flag--not something I delight in.

But this year I'm dwelling hard on our country and praying for America.

What the President and his cronies are doing threatens so much of what we love and need in this country.

Democrats, Independents and unhappy Republicans must take a stand on this day.

"Let Freedom Ring!" must be our cry.

Too many suffered and died to make this country the greatest in the world to let them down now.

"Let Freedom Ring...."

That awful bill

Well, they passed it.

I guess the President is delighted.

Most all Americans won't be.

Health Care and low income folks are in ruins.

What an awful thing to do to us....

Fight back!

 

A good thing

 One good thing about my recovery (though it's slower than I wish) is how much reading I'm getting done.

I'm averaging a novel and a half a day!

Lots of "Murder She Wrote" and "Monk" and others as well.

Being rather sedate leaves lots of time for Reading....

That's a good thing indeed.

Slept in....

 I slept until 8:30 this morning.

An hour and 15 minutes longer than any night since I've been home.

Felt good to sleep in.

I plan to spend time downstairs until 3 or so.

Moving along--just not as fast as I'd hoped.

Should make church Sunday--Bern driving me up and someone bringing me home.

I hope so....

That Big Bad Bill

So the Senate passed that bill the President wanted. Goes to the House, but little doubt they'll pass it.

It will ruin the lives of many Americans and affect us all with debt and hardship.

It's hard to imagine how members of Congress can hurt the people they were elected by.

But it's done.

God help us....

 

Hanging out...

 Still upstairs, but should be able to go down by tomorrow.

Walking with my cane without touching the wall--that's a step forward.

Sleeping ok, but not as long as usual.

Making doctors' appointments for next week.

I can't believe how much Bern does to help me out.

My angel....

Another day...a little better

 I feel a bit better today--a tad more steady, but not there yet.

Thought of the folks at Trinity a lot--pray I can be there next Sunday.

Eating a little more--but not enough, I know.

"A long road back" is how I see it now. Just a bit a day.

I've watched more news than I care to admit.

America must feel like me--lost and trying to hope.

The country is a mess--just like me.

God help us all....

Just talked to M.

 M. is my first cousin on my mother's side. She went on vacations with us and helped raise me.

I'm closer to her than any other relative--always have been.

I called to tell her about my hospital ordeal and she took the same attitude as Bern--take it slow and do whatever Bern tells me to!

Do women just know more about this stuff than men?

Makes me wonder....

Still shakey

 I'm still shaky but a bit better after a night in my own bed and a much needed shower.

Taking meds sent from the hospital along with my usual pills--which I didn't take for a week.

Bern is keeping me in line and I'm staying upstairs since I went down yesterday and fell and had trouble getting up.

It's fine up here--two bathrooms, tv room, my computer, etc....

We'll see. I was too optimistic and Bern was rightly pessimistic about how I'd be after a week in a hospital bed and bad--I mean 'bad'--food.

Patience is what I need and have too little of....

Shalom.

Sorry....

 A surgeon sent me to the Emergency Room a week ago at 3 p.m.

They took out my gall bladder at 8 p.m.

All went well with that but it took until today (Friday 6-27) to get my oxygen level up enough for me go come home.

HOME!!!

Best place to be.

I'm shaky but Bern is keeping me in line--God love her!

More tomorrow.

Again, sorry to have been away so long....

Another day, another doctor

I went to see my G.P. today to talk about the emergence room results.

She was glad I'm going to see a surgeon Friday to see about Gall Bladder surgery.

There are two ways to do it--through a small hole in my stomach and making an cut and opening up my stomach.

The first is a quick recovery with no time in the hospital. The second is more serious and takes over a week to heal.

I'm hoping for the first method.

(Sorry to keep writing about my health, but it fills up my mind!) 

I'll get back to posting about politics, problems and hopeful solutions as soon as this is past....

 

Wednesday's wonders

I slept well last night, when I didn't expect to. I was almost sitting up in bed, with pillows behind me. Strange since I usually sleep with one pillow.The gall bladder pain comes and goes. I take pain pills and use Icy-Hot rub 3 times a day.

I only went out to the library, but it wasn't hard.

I used my cane more than usual and that helped.

I just want to get over this.

I see the surgeon on Friday morning, which probably means I won't get it done until next week.

Bern has been great to me, though I'm messing up her life.

I hope I sleep as well tonight.

I hope and pray....

 

Tuesday was a pain...

 Tuesday I woke up at 5 a.m. with horrible pain on the right side of my family. When her office opened, I called my general practitioner about it. She told me to go to an emergency room and get a CAT scan.

We were at the ER (Bern drove) at 11 and didn't get home until almost 4.

I had all kinds of tests and the doctor told me I have gall stones and my gall bladder should come out.

It hurts the most when I'm laying down.

Sitting here and typing I have no pain.

Walking is a little worse, but not like laying down--which is terrible.

So I have appointments with my primary doctor and a surgeon to figure out when to pull the plug on my gall bladder.

Not a good day at all....

Monday was fine

 I slept late--a little after 9 a.m.

Read a book. Sent some emails. Didn't get any back.

Ate well. Cherrios for breakfast, sausage, egg and grits for lunch, chicken, potato tots and green beans for dinner.

Thought a lot about what to do with my spare time. Didn't come up with much. Just let it be 'spare time', I guess.

Agonized about the President and his plans.

Decided to attend a protest as soon as I can.

Wondered about the future of Public Radio since that idiot wants to defund it.

I'll give more, if that helps.

Waiting for Jepordy to start--wondering why I can't spell it!

Will go to bed with a "Murder She Wrote" novel. I love Jessica Fletcher and all she does.

Having some wine.

Bed early tonight.

Hope you had a good day....

June 15th--52 degrees

 Mid-June and 52 degrees on our back porch. When will Summer come?

No church today.

Wasted away the morning. Except for a phone call from my son wishing me Happy Father's Day.

It's 3 p.m. and I have Pinot Grigio cooled.

Bern is fixing sea scallops and spinich for dinner. (Which I can't spell!)

Not much to do this afternoon.

So, I playing Hearts on line.

Good enough for me....

Long time friend

 We met in college, both attending the Episcopal Service on Sunday evening. We've been friends ever since.

Bern and I visited J. at his room in a nursing home in New Haven. He moved to CT years ago and we deepened our friendship.

I took him communion and he was grateful.

He fell down steps a few months ago and seriously hurt himself.

At one point doctors though he might die.

But he didn't.

And I'm glad.

He may be my oldest friend except for M. who went to high school with me.

Friends are like gold--precious and rare.

What today is...

 I didn't realize until 4 p.m. that today was Friday the 13th.

I'm not a superstitious man. I had a calendar right in front of me, but I didn't realize.

I don't know how the Friday the 13th thing came into being. I'll look it up online. 

But don't worry.

It's just another day.

Really....

Blood, heat and the crazy man

I went to my primary care doctor for a blood draw. She knows all about my hospital stay and just wanted to check.

Today was as hot as promised--but I'm not complaining. I don't complain no matter how hot it gets. I hate the cold. Heat is fine.

I don't know what this President wants to do. He is dismantling the federal government, taking away health care for those who need it most and planning a huge parade on his birthday.

I used to say he was a 'little' crazy.

Now he's all out crazy.

Tariffs on and off and on again.

Cost of living about to explode.

Our allies are angry with us.

What's next?

Oh, not to mentions cementing in lots of the White House lawn.

Will it ever end?

 

At last!

 Today is going to finally feel like June!

It's expected to hit 80 degrees today. YES!

I also learned yesterday that Trinity Church is cancelling Bible Study for the Summer.

So, I have Wednesdays off for 2 1/2 months. Not bad.

Warmth and free Wednesdays are both delightful....

In between the rain...

 ...Bern is always in the back yard doing something.

I think she's weeding, but I really have no idea what she's doing.

But it's intense work.

If it weren't for Bern, our lawns would be forests!

She does all the work and I sit on the back deck and watch her do it.

I am hopeless when it comes to yard work.

I think I'll keep her around. She does most everything around the house.

And when I try to help, it's not up to her standards. Thankfully.

She's a keeper....

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.