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'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....
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....
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....
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 ('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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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 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....
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.
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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
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.
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....
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....
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....
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....
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....
