Coming soon....

 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....

Keep going Bible Study....

 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!

The woman I met

 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.....

 

Voting, Shopping, Killing Ants

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....

 

 

Lazy Monday

 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????

Sunday Eucharist and Healing

 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!)

Backing up

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....

 

OK, one minor criticism...

 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.

Hot Thursday

 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....

 

 

Bible Stiudy (part 2)

 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....

Bible Study

 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....

Rain, rain, don't go away....

 It's rained like crazy in Cheshire the last day or more.

That's fine with me (besides getting wet going out!) because much of the country has heat waves and/or forest fires.

So, let it rain.

I had a great night's sleep--not always true.

I went to the library and checked out as many books as I could get in my blue and gold West Virginia bag.

I love reading almost as much as sleeping.

I haven't been hungry for several days. I eat what I can and leave the rest (much to Brigit's delight!) I looked on line to try to figure out why and got nothing that made sense.

Causes went from minor things (slowed down aging metabolism) to serious things (depression and cancer).

Maybe I don't move around enough--that's true.

But we shall see how my apatite goes the next few days before I panic.

I don't like to panic more than I don't like to sleep well....

Losr in thought...or somewhere....

 Haven't posted for a few days.

Not like me.

I've been 'lost' since a tooth cleaning that wore me out. And I go back to get my implant on Tuesday. Yea! Maybe I'll be able to talk better after that.

But I'm typing now, not talking.

I got a long reply to my most recent post from MM a friend since high school and college.

He was telling me what a great country we live in. He went on and on--a great American.

I agreed with most all he said.

But I think the nation he accurately described is being threatened in many ways by the current president and his 'yes' men and women.

The cost of so many essentials is making life so hard for so many.

Health Care is being hurt badly.

Immigrants are being deported who are working hard and being law abiding. And we all came from somewhere (unless you're Native American)--immigrants made this country great.

The war goes on and on--the one he promised would be very short.

There's more and more, but I'll stop there.

People like MM and me and you have to do whatever we can to push back to the President and keep our country the best place to live in the world.

Let's get busy....

Didn't post yesterday

 Had nothing worth writing...

Maybe it's the same every day!

I noticed my blog, according to the blog police "has sensitive content".

Well, I would hope so!

How's this for sensitive content--our President is an Idiot!

I talk every week to 'the boys'--as Bern calls them. All but my brother in law, Dan P., are Episcopalians. He's a Roman priest.

Today we were all whining about what 'dumpy trumpy' has done to our country.

But then I said, "Our Country elected him twice, so Our Country brought it on ourselves"...or something like that.

It's true.

We live in a country that elected that Idiot twice.

What kind of country are we living in?????

Let me know....

Church was great

 I left to go to Trinity, Milton at 8:15 a.m. Very little traffic, lots of 4 lane roads and only 32 miles.

It took me 50 minutes! Why is that? I don't know.

But a good congregation, a couple of visitors who said they'd be back, my sermon was wondrous (just me talkin'!) and coffee hour great.

When I got home, B.S., Senior Warden and newsletter guy had sent a newsletter with two photos of me I never saw him take--one giving communion and one blessing food and clothes people brought for those in need.

He could be a CIA agent!

The drive home took less time--I'm an idiot about time....

I love that little church and all their wonderful members--confirmed liberals, thank the Lord--and wonder how long I can do this.

Bern asked me the other day.

I'll see next April 17 when I turn (God Help Me!) 80....

I never dreamed I'd live this long.

Another reason I love my wife so....

I messed up my computer real bad.

I 'signed out' instead of hitting 'sleep' last night and couldn't get back on. Besides that, the picture that came up to sign in had been on for weeks and when I tried to open the computer, it told me I couldn't.

I explained it all to Bern.

She unplugged it and plugged it in again and it worked!

"Always 're-boot'," she told me.

I had assumed 're-boot' meant to kick the computer across the room twice.

So, she's why I'm able to write this.

I love her so.

 

How much I love my wife....

 I love Bern so much that I went to Costco with her today.

The credit card I use gives us cash to spend at Costco. This year we got $367.42 from them in a gift certificate.

So we went.

I would rather go to the 5th ring of hell than to Costco.

It is so big and so crowded and the carts are huge and I get very tired walking around in it and paranoid about the crowds and size of it.

When I die, if an angel asks me, "You want to go to Hell or Costco?" I'll answer as loudly as I can when dead, "Hell, you idiot! Now!"

We got over 200 dollars in cash back and I got some shorts, tee shirts and underwear out of it.

But I would never go again.

When we got home, Bern told me we can deposit the gift certificate in the bank, which I didn't know, and said she never wanted to go to Costco again.

That's my woman and why I love her so.

Could've, should've stayed home

 I just needed a couple of things from the store--nothing vital--but, like a dummy I went out in the rain to go to Big Y.

Even with a raincoat and umbrella, I got drenched getting to the car--maybe 20 feet--and from the car to Big Y--even closer.

So, I got the few things and when I came out of the store, the sun was trying to break through and no rain.

My raincoat is still on the front porch. It won't dry out soon!

Hope you stayed home if you live in this part of CT.

Then a friend who works at Big Y told me most people drown in their car. "They get stuck in water and then deeper water and can't open their doors," he said.

Just what I needed to hear, having driven through a downpour....

 

The World Cup

 I don't get soccer (or 'football' as most of the world calls it).

It goes on forever and there's almost no scoring.

Yet the crowds chant and cheer and sing to whole time.

And videos from Spain showed what must have been 3/4 of the country on the streets in the middle of the night celebrating.

Nevermind the penalties--they run into each other and kick each other all game long...what makes some of that a foul?

But I did like this about the World Cup Championship game--how loudly and long they boo-ed our 'so-called president'.

That may have made soccer my favorite sport....

Sunny Sunay

 Church went well. No musician but we sang "Morning has Broken" for the processional and "Amazing Grace" for the recessional and both went well. But miss Michael a lot....

On the way up to church (30 miles) I was just out of Thomaston and heard these weird sounds (pop, bang) that seemed to be coming from my driver's side door. I was perplexed and worried.

Then I stopped at a red light in Litchfield and after that, the sounds were gone. I think the car I drove behind for 7 or 8 miles, must have been backfiring.

I also got paid for a wedding I did a month ago. I'd let the couple know by email several times and it finally came in the mail yesterday, which I only picked up when I was about to leave for church today.

I love that little church--16 people today but a great coffee hour and lots of conversation.

How lucky can an old guy get?

A great life-long wife, two wonderful kids, 4 grandchildren...all a man could want....

Great sunny Sunday--not even too hot....