The votes are finally counted in Mississippi and Alaska and Democrats won two more Senate seats.
That makes it 55 to 45!
Plus, even a bigger % in the House.
OK, show me what you can do come January....
Can the Dems keep Trump in line?
Can they reverse some of the messes he's made?
Can they turn us back toward a real democracy?
I hope and pray they can.
Come on Democrats, make it happen!'
It's that kind of day.
I did go to the store for the large salad I'll make for dinner.
I got Bern some very specific potato chips. I had to look for nearly 10 minutes to find them. Do we really need so many brands and types of chips? Or so many kinds of soda--though they didn't have Polar Ginger Ale in the size I wanted?
I wrote my sermon this morning.
It's starts out in a way I've never started a sermon in the decades I've been preaching.
I will start by saying: "I didn't like today's Gospel..."
And it's true.
It's Matthew 24.13-40 and is the story of a rich man leaving on a trip and gives 3 'slaves' part of his wealth. The one who got 5 talents earned 5 more for his master. The one who got 2 earned 2 more. The least capable of the three got 1 talent and buried it so he wouldn't lose his 'master's' money.
The first two were highly praised when the master returned but the third was cast out into a place where there is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth'.
The reason I don't like it was that I was a social worker before I went back to seminary to be ordained.
I saw how hard and humbling poverty is up close.
Matthew's story rewarded those who made money and punished the one who didn't.
But in Jesus' ministry it was the poor that he reached out to most.
I don't get where the gospel for Sunday fits with the Jesus I love and worship.
I just didn't like it....
The three of us from Trinity were waiting for the Bishop to join us on line--though G. couldn't hear us though we heard him fine.
Then A., the Bishop's assistant in stuff like this, came on to tell us the Bishop couldn't make it. He was on the road somewhere.
She apologized for the Bishop, though only B. and I heard her.
B. was calling G. to tell him when I signed off.
Luckily I signed off before heaving a huge sign of relief....
A. said she'd set up another time.
"No problem," I told her.
And it wasn't...
The Bishop is visiting Trinity in December, so, I have a video call with him at 4 today.
Luckily, the Wardens will be on too.
I get anxious with bishops one-on-one.
I respect and admire them but prefer to do that from a distance!
We'll see at 4 how it goes.
Wish me luck....
My primary care doctor used to be a middle-aged woman I didn't like.
But she moved to another office.
Now it's a middle-aged Black man who I really like.
Today was (I don't remember the name of the procedure) but it only involves vital signs and questions. Not even a urine sample, and I came so ready to give one I had to go to the bathroom before I saw the doctor!
My blood pressure was 130/50, which I was told is fine. Everything else was normal.
The doctor said he didn't like these (whatever they call them) exams because nothing happens except questions.
'Rainbow, lake and chair', the nurse told me and I repeated it.
A few minutes later I was asked to say it again and I did.
I also had to draw a clock and mark it at ll:10--which I did.
Not much else happened except to set up my next visit and refer me to a sleep doctor who could either give me another C-Path machine or prescribe an option to the machine.
I didn't like the visit either.
But I really like my new doctor.
He told me I was very alert and happy.
I agreed.
(Maybe I really am....)
I talked on the phone to my cousin, M. today.
She and I realized that we were the only relatives we were still in touch with. I was the youngest and she was second youngest of 16 first cousins with Aunts and Uncles on our mothers' side of the family that added up to 10. As far as either M. or I know, almost all of those folks are dead now.
Then she asked me, "when we were in Anawalt" (the town in southern West Virginia where we grew up) "did you ever imagine you'd live in Connecticut most of your life and I'd live in Baltimore?"
It took me off guard.
I thought for a moment and said, "if you had asked me at 12 whether I would be an Episcopal priest living in Connecticut, I would have said, 'what's that and where's that?'"
I wouldn't have known an Episcopalian then and Connecticut would seem like it was on another planet.
Both M's and my mothers were school teachers but our fathers hadn't finish high school and both served in WWII.
M. became a teacher too and to my amazement, I have 3 post graduate degrees. The last in a D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry) so it's okay if you call me Reverend Doctor Bradley.
But just once, please!
Life is strange.
I'm sure you agree.
I hope I don't bore you talking about church--hey, I am a priest! OK?
It was good.
People liked my sermon, 5 or 6 wanted to talk about it.
I preached about 'oil in my lamp' and like the idiot I am, I had decided before church not to anoint for healing.
After my sermon I realized how dumb to talk about oil and not use some.
So before the postlude I told people they could be anointed before coffee hour.
Almost everyone stayed to be anointed and, surprising me, went back to their seats until everyone had been anointed. Really great of them.
Problem was, R., who anoints me, felt bad and left after the sermon. I called her when I got home and she said she was better and though she might need to leave with stomach problems from all the meds she'd been taking lately.
I almost pooped my pants during the prayers of the people and left at the Peace to go to the bathroom. I got back just as announcements were over.
Pooped in clerical vestments might require a bishop to come cleanse them.
Don't want that....
After two Sundays off, I'm back at Trinity, Milton tomorrow.
I've missed it.
I tend not to go to church when I'm not the celebrant.
That's one of the reasons I keep serving though I officially retired over a dozen years ago.
Besides, I really like Trinity and the folks there.
I wrote my sermon Tuesday--I almost never write it before Friday.
That's how anxious I am to get back to celebrating.
Yea!!!
Church tomorrow!!!
Most of the calls I get on my cell phone aren't from friends--far from it!
80% of my calls are from recordings trying to sell me something or figure out something about me they can use to connect me to a real person.
I usually say, "Hello, recording," when they say hello. That gets rid of many of them. Other calls I either just hang up or wait until they ask a question.
"Do you own a car?" they ask and I say, "no, I ride my elephant."
"Are you between 65 and 85?" gets me to answer, "no, I'm 134".
That gets them to hang up.
How many people talk to a recording long enough to get a real person to sell them something?
Are they just lonely and glad to get any call?
I just don't get it.
Stop calling me, Recordings!
Two Senate seats left to decide: Mississippi and Alaska.
Winning both would just add whipped cream to the dessert.
A friend sent me a cartoon on Facebook that, if I had any idea how, I would put here. (But I'm a computer moron and can't....)
It showed in the bottom right corner, a little cartoon of the President carrying an umbrella.
The rest of the picture was a blue ocean wave cresting above him and about to crash.
I hope it's telling the future.
Democrats, lean back, put you feet up and prepare for what happens next January...
Some popcorn would be good....
I went to the library today and two older women were on a bench down from the back steps talking.
They had on long sleeves but no sweaters.
I smiled as I got out of the car and said, "Warm for November...."
One of them looked shocked. "It IS November, isn't it--I forgot."
They sat in the shade, no need for sun.
It feels like Spring!
Especially as the election results come in.
Democrats have not only taken over the House and Senate, they've elected Governors and the congresses of previously red states.
I am so Blue to day--not sad, but delighted.
It turned out ever better than I had hoped.
Lord, help them start to get things straightened out.
Impeach the Secretary of War, P.H., right off....
It does feel like Spring in my heart and mind and soul....
Today began in Cheshire with the sky full of clouds.
But it cleared up and was quite warm, almost 70, for November.
In just that way, the election day is clouded over.
It won't clear until tomorrow--if then, given Alaska's strange way of counting votes.
So, it will either be warm--with Democrats gaining greatly--or chilly with Republicans holding on.
As they say, "we shall see...."
I pray for sun and warmth....
I voted last week, so I have tomorrow off.
But I don't know how late I'll be up watching the results come in.
It could be a GREAT DAY or a not so great day.
Democrats will advance, but I want them to take over Congress and put limits on trumpy-Trump.
Connecticut is no problem--deeply blue state usually and even more this election.
It won't change my life, but it will certainly influence it.
I'm so tired of living in TRump-WOrld.
I want out.
But our country elected the bimbo twice--so who's to say what will happen tomorrow....
I'll be tense though.
Probably until Wednesday morning.
I was off church today and it was All Saints Day.
I can't wait to hear what Bill said in his Morning Prayer Sermon.
ASD makes me a little confused.
We aren't ALL saints, all of us.
One of the hymns they might have sung goes, "For all the saints, who from their labors rest...."
Does that mean you can only become a saint when you die?
I've known people I would think of as 'living' saints.
I did the funeral for one of those folks a couple of weeks ago.
I've known dozens of people in my ministry who ARE good and DO good during their lives.
I think of them as living saints.
But what do I know, I've only been doing this for 40 some years?
Halloween was pretty quiet.
People on our street don't leave lights on--except a few--so we get fewer and fewer Trick or Treaters.
I gave cheetos and peanut butter cups to about six kids and left a bag out, few of which were taken.
So, I've been eating Cheetos and peanut butter cups most of the day.
Not bad.
Now, if people will just take down the monsters in their yards, we can move on toward Thanksgiving.
Bern and I are going to Baltimore on the train for Thanksgiving with Josh and his kids in a hotel. A little odd, but worth the trip.
So, hopefully the spooks will be gone soon.
I don't like Halloween....
I was in the parking lot at Big Y, getting ready to go in and get a few things Bern asked me to bring home.
My phone rang and I was annoyed until I heard the voice and knew my fears were relieved.
It was my first cousin, "Mesh", which is what I call her though it's not her real name.
She is five years older than me and grew up with me. My parents even brought her on our vacations to keep me company and keep me happy.
I'd been trying to call her and email her for three days and was afraid she was in the hospital or worse.
I way going to tell Bern about my anxiety when I got home.
BUT IT WAS HER ON THE PHONE!
We had a long talk about Anawalt and Jenkinjones, where we grew up and about going back to see what was left after coal ran out but it would be such a long trip.
She is my connection to those places and to my childhood.
We've been close ever since.
I was so afraid something had happened to her.
But something had happened to her phone instead.
I'm so happy and so relieved.....
I went to the library and, lucky me, found two David Rosenfelt novels I've not read.
He's my favorite author and I've read most of his 30-some books more than once. Two new ones is a treasure!
I also picked up cigarettes for Bern and me. I always go to the same gas station for them and the person behind the counter (and there are several) always has them out when I get to the counter. They know me well....
After a lunch of cold tuna from last night and a piece of cheese cake--I'm an addict for cheese cake--I went to the grocery store.
I came home with two heavy bags full and put it all away then dove into one of the Rosenfelt books.
In an hour I'll fix dinner--torn pork and cole slaw sandwiches, potato puffs and a small salad. I'll clean up after dinner and read some more than go watch Jeopardy and get ice cream at 8 p.m. and watch TV with Bern until I go to bed.
Just wanted you to know I do DO things....
I'm not so cold.
I don't even have on the heater beside me as I write this.
Of course, I'm cold if it isn't 80 degrees, so I'd say I'm just a little chilly today.
I should probably move to Florida or Texas except they aren't a Blue as CT and Bern wouldn't come with me since she hates the heat.
She visited her cousin in Florida a couple of weeks ago and said she 'sweated like shit' the whole time.
Hold does a cold guy get a hot woman?
Beats me, just lucky I guess.
...or Mara Lago.
The President has been on the campaign trail for weeks now.
Not doing good for Republicans, but messing up big time.
Where ever he goes, new outlets find him forgetting things, bubbling around, making funny noises, demonstrating health issues and on and on.
Given his approval ratings the candidates he's supporting should tell him to stay home.
Never mind his threats to over-rule votes he doesn't like.
And telling folks to vote 'as if I were on the ballot' can't be much of a boost for the candidates.
But I'm glad he hasn't stayed home.
Go, Blue Wave!!!
There are only two TV shows I watch with devotion--Jeopardy and The Voice.
I like MSN news.
I like CNN news a little.
Sometimes I watch episodes of Seinfeld from the past.
And Bern talks me into watching episodes of some things from 8 til 9 p.m.--when she goes to bed.
I'll search around for a while after that but seldom watch anything for long.
Then I go to bed and read until it's time to sleep.
I'm not much of a TV guy as you can tell.
I prefer watching parts of Family Feud on line.
TV isn't my thing.
I prefer novels and being on the back porch reading (except now that it's cold).
Maybe when I'm 'in the home' I'll watch TV more to pass the time.
Church was wonderful. Great music, good crowd, visitors, wondrous coffee hour.
But I just realized I don't have church next Sunday and Bible Study on Wednesday is on hold, so I have two weeks with nothing to do....
I'll manage.
The Cheshire library is there.
We have TV.
I love to play hearts and solitaire on line.
There's a dog to pet and take out and feed treats to.
Bern is my best friend as well as my wife of over 50 years--and she's here to talk to and be with.
I think I'll handle to time off....
WVU Mountaineers won in Texas, beating TCU 24-20.
They have scored more than 24 in every game and given up more than 20.
They have a great offense and a terrible defence.
But they are my team.
I spend over 2 hours in front of a TV set groaning and hoping.
I guess it was worth it but it wore me out...
A West Virginia boy is always a West Virginia boy.
Besides, the other schools I got degrees from were Harvard, Virginia Seminary and Hartford Seminary.
That's 4 degrees if you're keeping score.
But only Harvard has a football team and I'm sure WVU could beat them.
GO MOUNTAINEERS....
Today is the first of two days of Diocesan Convention.
For the third or fourth year in a row--I'm not going!
I get excused because of my knees and my cane.
Besides, I don't think retired clergy should have a vote. We won't be around to see how things turn out so why should we vote on how things are going to turn out?
And so, I wouldn't vote--so why go at all?
Besides I find them boring since I don't have a stake in what happens at them.
Call me lazy if you want.
I don't mind.
Lazy is a good way to be....
I wrote my sermon today.
It's about the necessity of 'loving yourself'.
I know that is not something we talk about much--self love--but Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbor AS ourselves.
AS means "in the same way that...".
So, if we don't love ourselves how can we love our neighbors 'as ourselves'?
And, how can we love God if we don't love ourselves?
Without self-love we would fear God, not love him/her.
We'll see how it goes on Sunday.
Wish me luck--and Love Yourself....
Bern didn't like the hat I was wearing.
She said, "look in the hat and glove drawer".
I had no idea where that drawer was, but I didn't tell her.
I think I opened every drawer in the house but only found a Bears toboggan. I used to be a Chicago Bears fan until Mahomes and the Chiefs came around.
But I wore the toboggan today anyway.
While I was looking I came across a tee shirt I didn't remember having.
It shows a flying saucer above the White House.
The caption says, "No Intellagent life here!"
Below, it says, 'Not my President'.
(Even though I can't spell 'intelegent', I love the shirt.)
I know I won't shut up about being cold--it's an part of my personality.
It was supposed to warm up during the day but I can't attest to that yet.
I went to the library.
I love Cheshire Public Library! Kids running around, a ton of books and good library staff.
I took five books back and got five more. I do this every week.
I love mysteries and my favorite author is David Rosenfelt.
But I read other writers too.
But I want a mystery with either a great detective or defense attorney.
The Cheshire Library never disappoints.
Go to the library where you live and see what a great place it is.
I spend more time reading than I spend thinking....
He's a good guy, even if he is a Diocesan Canon!
He preached, without notes and standing in the middle of the aisle. He distributed the wafers and I gave healing oil. He took a picture of everyone there after the service and gave the forgiveness of sins.
Good guy at coffee hour, chatting well and touching some people with his graciousness.
We left at the same time.
I liked him a lot--not something I usually say about Diocesan folks!
A good day and I was glad to share it with him.
Maybe I shouldn't be so suspicious of Diocesan folks....
Sunday we have a member of the Bishop's staff visiting Trinity.
I'm always a little anxious when Diocesan folks are around.
I think they're evaluating me--but that's most likely just me imagining.
He's a nice guy. He'll preach and I'll celebrate and he can see how 'low church' an Episcopal priest can be!
Actually, since I never go to other churches, I'm not sure where my practices are on the high church/low church scale. Just know for sure no one will think me Anglo-Catholic!
It should go fine. There has been lots of news about it in Trinity's newsletters.
Hope we have a good crowd.
Wish us luck....
(They did pick up the trash Wednesday morning! Stubborn behavior pays off sometimes....)
I went for a Cat-Scan (whatever that is) today.
It took nearly 2 hours.
First I got a shot to do something to me and sat for half-an-hour, then went to a weird place in the hospital and sat some more.
Then I got into the machine. I'm lucky I'm not claustrophobic or else I would have been screaming half-way through.
It took so long that I peed my pants.
When they let me out I was as far from my car as I could be.
I sat on a pillow on the way home to keep the driver's seat dry.
I rushed in to change my pants and underwear and put on dry ones.
Quite a day....
I don't recommend it.
Shalom, Jim
I know, after yesterday's late realization that it was Columbus Day that the garbage won't be picked up tomorrow.
But I put it out anyway.
I'm nothing if not stubborn.
Ok, two more things that bug me--besides not remembering holidays
1) kids walking down the street looking at their phones. I have a dumb phone and I like it like that.
2) men my age in shorts and short sleeved shirts while I have on a shirt, a sweater and a coat.
Aren't they chilly? And aren't those kids watching out for traffic?
Some things just confuse me.
Columbus Day is also Indiginous People Day (which I can't spell) but it seems like a good thing to remember: those who were here already when the white men 'discovered' America...
White men get too much credit for all kinds of things....
The staff of the library knew. It was closed when I went to get new books and drop off 4 I'd read. I put the old books in the slot and was so upset I took the copy of the New York Times outside the closed door.
(I felt so guilty about that I took the newspaper back without having taken it out of the plastic bag....)
The post office knew because there was no mail today.
The garbage collector knew because there was no pick up today.
The teacher in line behind me knew because she had the day off to go to Big Y and stock up.
So, why didn't I know it was Columbus Day.
Bern knew.
I looked on my calendar and it wasn't there--it's an Episcopal calendar so maybe Episcopalians don't celebrate Columbus Day.
Maybe I just don't pay close enough attention....
Trinity Church was in good form today.
Great hymns--and the Postlude was "The Sound of Silence" on the piano. I could have listened for an hour it was so good!
My sermon went over well and several people told me today's lessons were hard to figure out so the earlier sermon was fine.
Coffee hour, as always was tasty and high spirited.
We also did a healing service after the confession and absolution.
Some people tell me what they want healed and one person said, "my hatred of Trump is distracting me too much."
Afterwards I told that person I need the same healing....
The folks there are wonderful and everyone was talking about missing Ann, whose funeral was last week.
I miss her too and hope she has met God and is at peace.
Church does me good--but driving 30 miles through the rain both ways doesn't do me good....
I struggled to write a sermon on the reading of the week.
I didn't like the readings and couldn't seem to find positive ways to speak about them.
So, I'm going to use a sermon I wrote several weeks ago and church was cancelled because of a threatening storm.
Is that a cop-out?
Probably, but it's what I'm going to do.
Wish me luck getting away with it....
Our so-called president, Donald Trump, would like to be a king and be in charge of everything.
He does all sorts of things to indicate he doesn't respect the popular vote, the Supreme Court, Congress and any of us.
His health is in question these days.
I hope he does poop his pants and that his left leg doesn't work right.
I know his brain and his awareness doesn't work right.
Given how much he's messed up our country and our foreign relationships, how long will it take to get back to normal?
And who can do it?
I'm very concerned.
The mid-term elections could begin the 'get rid of Trump' process.
Let's wish and hope and pray it does.
God help us....
I went to the new doctor at the practice where we go today.
Bern saw him last week and said he was very good.
She was right.
I told him about all the things I put in yesterday's blog and he was great in his attention and responses.
He gave me a RX for one of my complaints.
And we shook hands before I left.
I have an appointment to follow up with him next month.
This is what doctors should do--listen, respond and help make you feel better about your body and your self...
As I was showering and getting dressed I had a remarkable thought.
"I'm not the man I used to be," was the thought.
Truth is, I've probably never been the man I think I used to be.
I was not as strong and active and witty as I think I was, most likely.
But I have so many issues to deal with right now that I'm a tad depressed.
1. bad knees
2. strange urinary tract stuff
3. a sore on my face that won't heal
4. short of breath after walking up our 13 stairs to the upstairs
5. ringing in my ears
6. needing a cane
I realized this morning, maybe for the first time, I'm an 'old man'!
I don't like being old but there's nothing I can do about it except be glad I'm still alive.
Old Man Jim, get used to it....
I've been spending more time in dental chairs lately than I have been in church!
An implant that took over a year was finished, but right before that I chipped a front tooth.
Now that is repaired and I don't see a dentist again until December for a cleaning.
That is, of course, if I don't do something stupid and chip another tooth.
Doing stupid stuff is right up my alley....
At 7:10 p.m. Bern got home....
Brigit and I am so happy.
Bern may even be happier.
It seems like weeks but has only been days.
It was so hot in Florida she was glad to get back to 45 degree weather.
Even colder during the early hours of Tuesday.
I hate the chill but I'll put up with it for her.
Welcome Home, My Love!
Sunday with no church. Once a month I'm off from Trinity.
Tomorrow is what I'm waiting on--just one more night with just me and Brigit.
Tomorrow, Bern comes home!
She won't get here until nearly 7 but that is ok.
I've missed her so and Brigit has missed her more, but she's been a better dog the last two days.
She comes down to go out without me putting a leash on her...
Brigit will go crazy when her 'woman' gets home.
(You see, Bern and I don't 'have a dog'; our dog has her 'woman' and her 'man'. That's the balance of power in our house....
Anne's funeral was today.
The church was packed--people in the balcony and lots standing.
The service went well and communion was given.
The recessional Michael played was "Lady in Red" because Anne loved to wear red.
The grave yard was 20 miles further north--barely still in CT!
That also went well.
Our Jr. warden and Anne's son spoke during the funeral and the son's friend spoke at the graveyard.
I missed the reception to get home to Brigit with Bern gone.
She was downstairs waiting for me.
Seeing her lifted my sadness a great deal.
May God receive Anne into paradise with a host of angels singing her praise....
She's flying to Florida to see her favorite first cousin, who's her age, for three or four days.
She's clearly worried about me and how I'll do without her.
But she's more worried about our dog, Brigit, who she doesn't think I can take care of while she's gone!
I'm pretty sure that Brigit and I will be fine--but Berm doesn't trust my 'pretty sure' attitude.
We will miss her a lot. I have a funeral on Friday but no Sunday service this week. We'll be fine.
But not having Bern here leaves a gaping hole in my life....
I went to CVS drive-through to refill a prescription and was told the refill was overdue and I'd have to call the Dr. I'm not sure I remember where he/she was, so I'll have to look on line.
So, I went in and got Covid and Flu shots and picked up something to buy on the way out.
When it was rung up, I realized I didn't have my most used credit card, paid in cash and looked all over the store, including the vaccination room and was near panic.
The guy who rang me up told me it was probably in the car but I didn't believe him.
But I went outside and there it was, on the passenger seat.
I'd taken it out to pay in the drive through and when I didn't I must not have put it back in my wallet.
I sat and took deep breaths.
I am an idiot that was stupid again.
But, in the end, my stupidity didn't matter....
Seems like it's been raining for weeks--though I know it's only been a few days.
Cheshire is drenched, but we didn't lose power or have any damage. So, that's good.
In fact, we did better than predicted about the storm.
I think it's almost over--but what do I know?
Bern leaves for Florida on Friday.
I know she's worried about leaving me and Brigit alone.
So it goes.
I will miss her greatly. So will Brigit.
But we'll get by.
As long as the rain stops and we get some sun and a little uptake on the temperature....
I went out today to get raisenetts for my morning cherrios (along with blueberries and Dole's mixed fruit. I found some at Stop and Shop, where I hardly ever go--I'm a Big Y guy.
When I got home and came inside I put the boxes in the dining room and took out my car keys and realized I didn't have my wallet.
So, I rushed out and headed toward Stop and Shop when I realized I didn't have on my seat belt.
I reached down to get it and touched something leather.
I found a place to stop and there, down on the driver's side of my seat, was my wallet.
I was so relieved I had to rest a minute before driving home and putting my wallet next to my car keys.
Bern came into the room, not having any idea what I'd gone through, and told me she was going to take a shower.
I told her, 'OK' and she left.
We didn't suffer at all from the big storm.
But calling off church was the best way to go.
Because of the storm due today and tomorrow, Milton cancelled church for Sunday.
I have next Sunday off.
I'm beginning to feel really retired!
I certainly don't want the storm to be as bad as it could be, but if it isn't the Wardens will feel like they made a mistake.
My sermon is pretty good--though there is no one to preach it to. I could ask Bern to listen, but that would cause a storm inside....
Earlier than I expect, the plants from deck migrated inside, with Bern's help, of course.
A storm is coming up the East Coast and she wanted them inside before it hit. We may or maynot get a lot, but wind anyway is coming tomorrow and Sunday.
Actually, she did a great job placing them around the downstairs. Very well done. And not to crowded.
So, we'll see about the storm and how it will go in Milton when I go to church Sunday.
It's 'undie Sunday' when folks bring underwear to give to the places that serve the needy. The folks at Trinity do a lot for those in need--food, clothes, serving in person.
As a small church, they do more than larger ones do.
God bless them.
And God bless Bern's plants. Though she says she needs some kind of light that acts like sunlight. I'm anxious to see such a thing....
I am very cold natured and Bern is warm natured.
I'm chilly when it's under 70 and Bern is too hot when it's 60 or so.
So, this time of year we battle over the thermostat.
She always wins!
The thermostat has been at 55 all summer and is still there...until today!
I've been wearing a long sleeve shirt, a sweater and a light jacket--INDOORS--for two weeks.
Today she told me the thermostat was now set at 65!
(I'd go for 75, but we've split the difference.)
She said if she started sweating it goes back down.
Sweating at 65 degrees???
She might--she's that warm natured....
A.T.'s funeral will be a week from Friday. Full service with communion,
B.S., our Sr. Warden, has put out two on-line newsletters about her, the second with moving thoughts from other church members.
I will miss her.
But, not to be morose--just factual--our time will come.
Yes it will, beloved.
Yes it will....
A.T. died Sunday night.
She was in her 80's (I no longer call that 'old' since I'm 79) and a dear sweet lady.
I only know her from church and visiting her in her home during her last days.
Her son has done a remarkable job of taking care of her.
He would bring her to church and leave her at the front door after saying hello to everyone back there.
She would kiss my cheek and tell me she liked my hair. A lot of people don't like my hair.
C. or someone else would help her up to communion.
She was a bright light, even during her last days.
I gave her communion in her bed, she dipped the wafer in the wine and put it in her mouth.
A few moments later, she said, "I didn't drop it!" and laughed.
Such a kind and humorous soul.
I will miss her.
I pray God welcomed her home....
I was coming, as a priest, to visit a new church. MAL, a friend of many years but now dead, was the retiring priest (she never was a priest.)
We were going to a small morning prayer, but I suggested doing a eucharist and she agreed.
When we got there, the church was packed with people. I was wandering around, amazed by the turnout, when I found myself lying on a table, unable to sit up.
Two folks were there and I begged them to help me stand up for the service but when I tried to touch them my hand went right through them. They weren't real.
I found myself trying to sit up with all my strength and when I woke up I was sitting on the side of our bed, one foot on the floor.
I laid back down and covered up--it was chilly--and tried to figure out my dream.
I feel asleep before I could figure it out....
Ok, the trumpster is now forbidding reporters from 3 major news organizations from coming to the White House.
It's illegal and unconstitutional, but until a court makes that clear he won't relent.
I think he's losing it--not just his popularity (which is at record low) but his mind.
How our country elected this guy twice is beyond me.
Lots of MAGA folks are regretting it.
Good!
But too late.
Two more years, beloved.
Even if the Dems win the House and Senate, this moron will be President for two more v e r y l o n g y e a r s.
So, I went to the library--took back 5 books and checked out 5 more. I do this once a week and almost always read them all.
Bern reads as much as I do.
We are two voracious readers of Cheshire Public Library.
It's a great place. There to serve voracious readers like Bern and me.
Then I went to Big Y to get stuff for dinner. Lots of seafood for tonight.
Then I read some and sat on the back porch.
I played Hearts on line and read some stories on line and looked at some on line videos.
Now I'm writing this....
Not an exciting Friday, I'll admit.
But fine with me.
Just fine.
Bern and I both went to doctors today.
I saw Dr. A., she is my cancer doctor though the cancer was over a decade ago. She's wonderful! I tell her stuff I don't even tell Bern.
Bern went to our new Primary Care doctor today. She loved him--though she was less than happy with the doctor before him.
She told him everything and admitted that she told him stuff she never told me....
I don't feel so bad about not telling her stuff after hearing that.
Doctors are those who want us to keep on living and be healthy.
Thank God for them.
I go see the doctor Bern saw today in a few weeks.
I actually look forward to it after her experience.
Until now, Dr. A. is the only M.D. I looked forward to seeing.
If you feel the least bit bad, go to your doctor.
They're there for us....
There are 17 potted plants on our back deck.
They are on the floor, sitting on the banisters, in waist high metal holders--all over.
I probably only know the names of 5 or 6.
Check that. I only know the name of one--a curly cactus.
If you saw it you could name it--it's obviously a kind of cactus--though not painful to touch--and it curls around.
Pretty neat!
But Autumn is here and at some point most of the plants will come inside for the winter.
They'll all be downstairs and all over the place.
Bern and her plants.
They surround me....
I checked the number of views "Under the Castor Oil Tree" has.
I do that every few weeks.
Today I realized that I have had one million, 500 thousand views in total.
I know a few people who check in from time to time, but I have no idea how my blog has gotten so many views.
But thank you, whoever you are....
My sermon tomorrow is about 'forgiveness', which Jesus tell Peter to do 'seventy times seven times' when a member of the church sins against him.
The title of the sermon is "Don't Forget to Forgive".
I named it that because of the Lord's Prayer.
Jesus tells us to pray, "forgive us out trespasses ('sins') as we forgive those who trespass ('sin') against us."
AS is the big word there.
In the prayer it means "in the same way that".
So, if we don't forgive, God will not forgive us.
Check out Matthew 18.21-25 to read all about it....
And don't forget to forgive....
TV and radio won't let you get away from it--9/11 is everywhere--as it should be today.
The question people are asked is 'where were you on 9/11?'
I've tried and tried and can't remember.
I was living in the house I'm in now--that is certain.
Beyond that, I have no idea.
Have I blocked it out of my memory because it was so painful?
I don't know....
Where were you?
I read an article on line today about the most educated and least educated states.
Connecticut, where I've lived for most of my life, is the 4th most educated state in the union. The ones who are ahead are 3. Maryland, 2. Vermont and 1. Mass.
Not bad, considering the three above CT all have great colleges and universities.
The state that is least educated is (hold on...) West Virginia.
That's where I was born and spent all my life until I went off to Harvard at 22.
Bern and I lived there again and both our children were born in Charleston while I was the priest at St. James there.
But then we moved to CT and have been here ever since.
So, moving from the least educated state to most of my life in CT. seems a good move.
(I just told Bern and she agreed!)
Our daughter replied to our 'good visit' ideas with 'she's manipulating you!'
Bern and I pondered that and then decided...
MAYBE SO.....
Who knows?
Maybe we'll find out later....
Our daughter-in-law (soon to be divorced from our son) spent the night with one of their twins on the way to Boston for college.
I was nervous about it because the separation has be contentious.
But it went well.
We assured her she would always be our daughter-in-law and the mother of our grandchildren. She appreciated it and was very kind in return.
"Because of the girls," she told me, "we have shared on genes."
True.
And the college kid was wonderful to have with us.
All in all a good time.
But I feel sorry for her for what she's going through.
So, I went to Big Y to order fish and chips for our Anniversary dinner (Bern's choice) and to pick up this great cheese cake with fruit topping for our desert.
The couple in front of me had bags and bags full of stuff. They used a gift card and then nearly $100 in cash to pay.
As the clerk was ringing up my dessert the guy came back and said, "how much?"
She said, "fifteen dollars" and the guy threw a ten and a five on the counter to pay for the cheese cake.
I was so stunned I said, "did he just do that?"
She smiled and said, "happy anniversary".
I had told her when I was checking out and he must have heard.
I rushed to catch up with them and they were out and gone before I could find them.
What astonishing kindness from a total stranger who didn't wait to be thanked.
What a day...in so many ways....
I need to figure out how to pass it on....
We all do....
Bern and I will be married 56 years tomorrow!
Hard to believe I've been so lucky to spend over 2/3 of my life with her.
There have been rough spots along the way--but not many.
2 kids and 4 grand kids have come out of it all.
A lots of dual respect and love.
Until I retired from full time ministry she came to church almost every Sunday and brought the kids. At one point they could have been a great trio of voices.
Since then, she's retired from church!
Fine with me. She did so much along the way--trained church school teachers, was a reader in services, did lots of behind the scene stuff and gave me great advice.
I love her so.
Now she does a lot for me as I'm not the young man I was....
I am one lucky guy to have met her in high school Latin class....Amo, amas, amat (if that's right...been a while).....
It's not the easiest thing--but not that bad.
I should be doing that now instead of this.
So much is coming up--our anniversary on Saturday, a visit from our soon to be ex-daughter in law and one of her college age girls, Sunday church and visiting a dying parishioner. Lots of stuff.
But I have to write a sermon.
I'm going to center on Jesus saying "when two are three are gathered in my name, I will be in the midst of them."
He's talking about 'church', though that won't happen until many decades after his death and resurrection. And the Gospels about him won't be written for several hundred years.
But he is assuring us that he will be in the midst of us when we gather to worship him.
A big favor to us--two or three--gathered in his name....
Only 4 today--small number, but bright folks.
We decided to give up on the Gnostic Gospels and today looked at the Gospel for Sunday.
A great way to help the preacher coming up--mostly me!
Went well, but a hard reading about confronting someone who sinned against you and then bringing witnesses and casting the offender out if he/she did not repair his/her offense..
But we hear Jesus say where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I will be in the midst of them.
That's good news for churches, especially small ones.
We had 4, so Jesus was with us.
That's wonderful....
Jesus in our midst.
My dentist called and asked if I could come in at 3:30 and get the implant I've been waiting on for months.
I was so happy I got there 20 minutes early!
She fooled around with my space and put the implant in and I was delighted--it felt and looked great!
Then she said, "Jim, I've got some bad news...."
Having a dentist say that is terrifying.
The implant wasn't broad enough to touch both of the teeth on either side so she took it out and sent it to the lab to see if they could fix it a bit.
Just a bit....yet I have to wait another 3 weeks now.
I came home so depressed I burnt the bread in the toaster oven.
I have the gizmo with my fake tooth in now and I'm still in anguish....
Didn't have church today.
Bill's newsletter said they had a great Morning Prayer.
I have to go up tomorrow to give communion and healing or last rites to a parishioner whose be in the hospital. She seems, according to her son, to be in her last weeks or days.
Nothing much for me to do today.
Drove around a little--I enjoy that.
Got some mini-crossiants (sp) at the store.
Nothing going on in Cheshire.
Bern cut the grass she won't let me near with a lawnmower!
She is my heroine!
Saturday is our 56th anniversary.
Lucky to have her and to have lived so long....
Weather people have been calling for rain, even thunderstorms, but not a drop at 2:05 p.m.
Bern moved deck plants out to get rain.
No rain.
Even occasional sun. Just clouds.
Sometimes weather people don't have any more clue than us.
Went to CVS for some stuff, but nowhere else.
September is coming next week.
Our anniversary is the 5th. 56 years!
Hard to believe.
How long to be so lucky as to be married to Bern....
Fr. Dan Pisano, my wife's brother, visited for 3 days.
He's a Roman Catholic priest (kinda' retired, like I'm kinda' retired!).
He's been part of my Tuesday group--the only one that not Episcopalian--but only on line.
Yesterday we met at St. Peter's here in Cheshire and people finally got to meet him in the flesh. He and I co-celebrated Eucharist and I had him do the blessing of the bread and wine. Fine with everybody....
Today at Bible Study in Milton we had 8 people--a record of sorts, but Dan didn't go since he had to catch a plane back to West Virginia.
We also got a new refrigerator today and luckily I went to Bible Study while Bern filled it with the stuff she'd taken from the old one. Glad I didn't have to help.
We don't have many visitors, Bern and I, but have for 3 weeks in a row!
Josh and Fatma toward and back from Maine and Dan this week.
Visitors take up time usually spent other ways, like writing this blog. So that's why I missed time again.
Hope to be on every day for a good long while....
See you soon....
It's not that I had nothing to say--I have.
It's not that I've been too busy--I haven't.
It's that my mind has been in limbo for a number of things.
First of all, we went from looking for a new car to spending over $700 to fix my front brakes and buy two new tires. So, I'm going to drive my car for a while longer. I'm glad....
Second, Dan--Bern's brother is coming on Monday for a visit. He's getting into Hartford on a plane at 10 p.m. or so. So Bern got an Uber to bring him to us since we're in bed before then.
Third, I am so upset about our so-called President and all the awful things he's doing. Making money instead of taking care of the poor. Declaring English as the American language and cutting funds for English classes for immigrants. Building a ballroom and fighting a war, neither of which anyone wants, instead of running the nation. Making the national debt higher than it's ever been while spending money on a war and ballroom nobody wants.
I'm just getting started--but I'm stopping there.
Church today was great except our musician is sick again, so no music. But we did a healing service after communion and after church talked about a Christmas play before a great coffee hour.
I love that church and those people.
What a lucky guy I am...except for car troubles and what's his name in the White House....
Bern has almost convinced me I need a new car or a low mileage used one.
It doesn't help that when I hit the brakes it sounds like thunder.
I'll try to have that checked tomorrow.
You have a car for sale? Or want to give it to a good ole guy?
So, tomorrow, we go looking.
I may just give my much loved car to Public Radio since I don't think a dealer is going to give me much of anything for it.
As you've probably deduced--I hate this whole thing.
But I'm a good ole guy....
...wears me out. It's only 33 miles, but on Wednesday the traffic is a lot heavier than Sunday.
I made it before anyone else and luckily remembered the code for the parish house door.
I really needed a bathroom!
There were 6 people at Bible Study--5 regulars and a newcomer.
She was very engaged--hope she'll be back.
Gnostic writings are both 'kinda familiar' and 'quite strange'.
The group is used to that by now and the first-timer was fascinated.
The conversation was so good I didn't eat all my lunch. That was fine. Talk is often better than food.
Driving home I heard weird noises when I used the brakes.
Bern is probably right--I need a new car.
But I thought this car would be the last of my life (I'm that old!) but 184,000 miles is a lot and I will most likely fail my admissions test again next week.
We'll see....
I was on my way to have my re-take my car's emmisions (which I can't spell!) test, but stopped at English Auto on the way.
If you live in Cheshire or near-by and need car work, go to English--they're the best, a family business and they are all great.
The woman who runs it told me my 'check engine' light being on would fail me out of the box. She also told me I could be late for the test and they couldn't do anything. In fact, she told me, people drive for months after failing--you just can't renew your registration.
Bern wants me to get a new car, but I've resisted so far. We'll see.
Also, took a water damaged book--a "Murder She Wrote" novel, back to the library thinking I'd have to pay for it.
But the head librarian said not to worry about it.
So, I won't.
Not a bad day so far.
And Jeopardy is on tonight--if I haven't mentioned it--my favorite show.
Not a bad day at all....
Church, as always, was wonderful. Great music, a good crowd, several kids--all of whom received communion!--and a coffee hour full of wonder (including Josh's birthday cake which we were so full we couldn't eat....)
The newsletter is already on line. A great picture of K. and S.--mother and daughter who were my assistants. S. a teenager carried the cross, gave me the elements, washed my fingers and administered the wine.
She did great and I told her mom, "S. and I won't need you next time!"
She laughed and said, "good!"
Some visitors, who came to communion--YEA!!!
I love the folks at Trinity.
Wish it wasn't 33 miles from home....
I used Prayer C 'cause I love it so.
A great morning.
Home in plenty of time for lunch.
Hope your Sunday was as good as mine....
They didn't arrive (our son and his female companion) until after 7 p.m. so they are pizza late and we sat on the back deck and talked until after 8 and then gave him his birthday cake (a really strange thing called "chocolate avalanche") that none of us had room to eat.
So, I'm taking the cake to church tomorrow for coffee hour. We'll see what Trinity folks think about a chocolate avalanche!
I got up about my normal time but didn't shower because I thought they'd be up and ready to leave in the morning.
Not so. They didn't come downstairs until nearly 11, had some things to eat (coffee and donuts mostly) and didn't leave until after noon.
So, I had a small lunch and then took my shower.
I don't like afternoon showers, I don't know why exactly.
After that I went to get gas and to Big Y for a few things.
Bern and I are both exhausted though we didn't do much while they were here. Having adult kids around is tiring, I guess.
I've said it before, but we really like her. She is so patient and kind and helpful.
I hope it all ends well.
But only morning showers for me.....
My son and his companion are coming soon on their way back down the east coast. They stopped on the way north (I mentioned that in a post) and are now headed back to Baltimore.
Today is his birthday. I won't tell you how old he is since it would reveal how old I am! But he's past the half-century mark and I was 28 when he was born--there, I did it anyway.
We have some gifts and an amazing cake ready but we don't know if they will spend the night.
I like his companion a lot--more than I liked his soon to be 'former' wife.
But enough about that.
Bridget is barking at the front door.
Maybe they're here....
Before anyone else got there, Bill and I decided to cancel Bible Study until late September.
As the session was ending, I went to the bathroom while Bill told the six people there about the plan.
When I came back, he told me we were meeting next Wednesday for Bible Study.
I got home and emailed him to ask what happened and to tell him I was fine to keep going.
He emailed back that everyone screamed "NO!" when he told them.
I actually feel good about that since I love to do it (though a few Wednesdays off wouldn't be bad....)
But why do I need that, I only work three Sundays and the Wednesdays each month. I have plenty of down-time.
That those people want to keep digging into the Gnostic Gospels is, after all, wonderful!
Let's go, Gospel of Phillip!
I took cans back to Big Y today. But when I got to the machine, there was a receipt in it for almost 6 dollars.
I went and found the woman who I thought it belonged to and gave it back to her. She thanked me for my kindness, and I thought that was it.
But later, she somehow found me in the store and gave me a dollar bill.
"It isn't much," she told me, "but I wanted to reward you for your kindness."
I'd like to meet more people like her.
Kindness on my part represented itself in kindness on her part.
That should be the norm.
But it isn't.
I have that dollar bill beside me as I type.
I may frame it along with "Kindness from kindness--too rare."
Thank God for her and others like her.....
I voted in the primary today--there were only 2 offices up for voting on the Democratic ballot. I'm a 'Yellow Dog Democrat' (a term a friend of mine gave me meaning if the ballot was for a human on the Republican side and a yellow dog on the Democratic side, I'd vote for the dog).
I also talked to 'the boys' as Bern calls them, on-line for an hour and a quarter. They are all Episcopalians (clergy and lay) except for my brother-in-law, a Roman priest in West Virginia. That's where I got the 'yellow dog' line, on that call from Michael.
Dan is coming to visit in a few weeks and we decided to get into the Episcopal Church (one of us is an important member there) and have communion before going to lunch.
That's how the group started, when I was Rector of St. John's in Waterbury and we'd have communion in the chapel and then talk for an hour.
When I retired from St. John's we had to stop that (a former priest is to be out of the way for a year). Eventually, after a few more spots for communion, we went on line and have been for years.
I also went grocery shopping for dinner tonight--my amazing salad!
I also killed some of the dozens of ants in my little office.
I let them live for days but there were so many today I had to kill some of them.
I don't like killing anything and have repented...but if they stay around, they are doomed....
I got up a little after 8 a.m., about the time I get up every day except Sundays when I have to go to church.
I ate multi-grain Cherrios with blueberries and little round chocolate things that claim to be milk-chocolate covered cookie dough (I kid you not) with 2% milk, as always and iced coffee with lots of sugar.
That's my normal breakfast--weird as it may sound.
Then I read a Quinn book about a private detective and his dog Chet so I could take it back with 4 other books to the library.
I go to the library twice a week because I read almost a book a day.
I found a book by my favorite author, David Rosenfelt that I don't think I've read before and four others I look forward to.
I've fooled around on line for an hour or so, played Hearts and won, read some stuff about Trump and felt a little ill from doing that.
Not much else to do today that can't wait until tomorrow. Tuesday I fix a big salad for dinner that we both enjoy--lots of stuff in it.
I'll watch Jeopardy after dinner and read in bed for an hour or more when I go to bed at a little after 9 p.m.
Quite a day, huh????
It went very well.
Our wondrous musician, MF was back for the first time in a month.
He even let me anoint him for healing after all he's been through.
My sermon was well received, as was the healing after communion.
I had EL anoint me and pray for my healing to give the congregation an understanding that lay people can do the anointing. I hope, over time to have lay people do it each Sunday.
(There are two very active and generous members of the congregation who won't receive communion. I'm working up to talking to them about why they don't. Maybe next week....)
Coffee hour was great and several folks told me not to worry driving home because in my sermon I said something about 'being afraid' driving up Route 8. Great of them to wish me well.
I've loved every congregation I've served in all these years--4 one-on-one and three in a cluster ministry. But Trinity is becoming my favorite.
I can't tell you exactly why, but I'll try soon.
(I did get home safe and sound!)
I don't know much about cars.
I did fill up my windshield wiper fluid yesterday--a big accomplishment for me!
My car failed it's admissions test a few weeks ago. I have to got get tested again soon. What if I fail again?
The testing guy told me I hadn't driven enough miles since my check engine light had been turned off. I didn't even know how he knew that had happened. My car fixers told me to drive a hundred miles before getting tested, but I didn't. So, they were right.
Besides that, though I drive fine and carefully, backing up is a challenge for me.
Josh and his significant other are coming today at 3 and Bern told me to back in so I could pull out when Josh's car was behind me in the driveway.
I did it somehow--good for me!
I have to leave for church at 8 a.m. tomorrow and I don't know how long Josh's car will be in front of me.
We'll see, I guess.
At least I won't have to back up to leave....
I've told you how much I love Bern and why.
The list goes on and on.
I couldn't ask for more--even imagine what 'more' to ask for....
But she moves things around.
If it were up to me, every thing would stay where it was forever.
No moving around.
But Bern does it all the time.
Most recently, our back porch.
The chair I sat in for years was moved to the corner by the door. And the trash can for bottles and cans (worth 10 cents when returned) still sits beside my chair but on the wrong side of the door. I can't just open the door and toss in a ginger ale can, I have to go on the porch and shut the door to hit the can.
OK, a little thing I know.
But I don't like things moved. Never. Not ever.
(Am I an idiot? Which is what she thinks when I complain....)
Don't move things around is my motto.
I got a lot done today.
Washed me clothes and put them away.
Wrote my sermon.
Deposited my check from Trinity Church.
Bought some windshield washer fluid. (Tomorrow I'll try to figure out how to put it in....)
Erased the dumb stuff on my email.
Read 50 pages of the David Rosenfelt book I'm reading.
Even relaxed some.
Well, for me, that's a lot! I'm not a workaholic!
The sermon is about Jesus walking on water, which I can't do. (You can't either, I'd bet.)
I don't even swim well. I'm mostly ok in a pool but put me in the ocean and you'll never see me again.
It's hot and humid, but I don't complain since I hate the cold winter so much. Besides we have air-conditioners.
I'd better rest up for Friday....
So we met today--only 4 of us, it's summer after all.
And we never got to actual 'study' of the Gnostic Gospels.
We had communion and then talked about my idea to have lay folks do the healing service. Why not? We let lay folks administer the chalice and take communion to folks who are stuck at home.
The bread and wine are blessed, so they can do it.
I think it might be against church law--but why not try and tell the Bishop "I'm sorry" when he or she tells me to stop.
But there were concerns because lay folks aren't under the rule of secrecy that priests are.
Anything a lay person tells me in private stays secret, it's part of my vows.
You could tell me you robbed a bank and when the cops came I would tell them what you told me was between you and me.
I would refuse to testify against you.
So, if you told someone anointing you for healing that you had a disease from an out of wedlock sexual encounter and wanted to be healed, a priest couldn't tell your spouse but a lay person could.
So, I get it.
We'll have healing Sunday but I'll do the oil.
We'll talk about lay people doing it later....
We're reading the Gnostic Gospels. Some are fascinating and some are just dumb!
Anyway, there's usually 8 people or so there and they are great to talk with. I appreciate their insights and humor a great deal.
You get to know people sitting around a table, sharing communion and talking about spiritual things...among other things.
We've had to miss a few sessions so I hope they remember where we left off, I don't.
And I'm the priest!!!!
They know a lot more than me about a lot of things.
Bless them....
