The tee-shirt I'd forgotten aboout

 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 Intellegent life here!"

Below, it says, 'Not my President'.

(Even though I can't spell 'intellegent', I love the shirt.)

Cold Monday

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....

 

 

It went well

 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....

I think I'm ready

 

 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....

Long Thursday

(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 took out the garbage today

 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....

Who knew?

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....

 

Church was very good today

 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....

Is this a cop-out?

 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....

The King in waiting

 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....

Today is better

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...

 

This morning's realization

 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....

 

Finally over...

 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....

SHE'S HOME!!!

 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!

One more night....

 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....

A fond farewell....

 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....

Bern leaves today....

 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....