Saturday, October 23, 2021

Problematic emails and Scam calls

I get two kinds of emails that drive me crazy.

The first kind are from the Democratic National Committee--several a day.

They all ask me to fill out a survey about things that matter to me--racial justice, the supreme court, voting laws, abortion, stuff like that. And no matter how many I fill out, at the end they ask me for money.

I already give a generous donation each month to Act Blue--the DNC's donation place--but each email asks me for money anyway.

Next one I get I'm going to reply--STOP ASKING ME FOR MONEY? IF NOT, STOP EMAILING ME. 

The second are job offers, a couple a day--from everywhere from Target to Spirit to UPS.

I'm a 74 year old retiree with bad knees, why do you say I meet your criteria?

Every knows there's an employee shortage here in the US because of the pandemic. Every retail store in Cheshire is hiring. 

But I'm not who you want, I promise you.

And scam calls! Oh, my Lord! Most of the calls I get on my cell and on our land-line are scams. My I-phone even labels them for me.

Yesterday, Bern got a call that began: "Grandma, it's me, your grandson...."

We only have grand-daughters, so she knew it was a scam.

Then she read on-line about a group of young people calling old people to claim it was their grand-child needing money!

Many people probably send it.

Bern said if these kids would stop the scam and spend their time and cunning in school, they could get Ph.D's.

Probably so.

I give enough money to the DNC. I don't need a job. I don't want to be scammed.

Enough already.

 

Friday, October 22, 2021

Today

I went to my urologist today.

(Bern complained the other day that I had 'so many specialists" and she had none. I think she should be happy!)

But here's the thing. My urologist is Dr. Wong and she looks a lot like my daughter-in-law, Cathy Chen.

Ponder that for a moment.

Someone looking at your private parts that looks like the mother of 3 of your granddaughters. 

It went ok.

But I need to go back in January so she can look in my bladder!

Do you realize what that means. Have you ever had it done?

They put a tiny camera up your urinary track (and you surely understand where the entry point is!) then fill your bladder with water and film your bladder.

Not the most pleasant thing in the world.

But even worse when the person who's doing it looks like you son's wife!

Ah, well, I have a couple of months to dread it....

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

That one is over

Yesterday we finished "Reading the Gospels Side-by-Side" up at Trinity, Milton.

Week after next we move to a study of Mary of Magdala and her gospel. That will include looking at other non-biblical gospels as well plus the legends surrounding this woman, who was the only one in all four gospels that witnessed the resurrection. In some of the gospels there were others, but Mary was always there.

A companion of Christ.

And since she took the message to the others, she was the first evangelist.

An amazing group of legends about her.

I look forward to leading it.

The people at Trinity who attend Bible study are insightful, deliberate and extremely bright.

God love them.

 

 

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

It's not that bad

My post yesterday was written in depression about getting older.

But it did end with "it's not that bad".

And it's not.

A lot better than the alternative.

I still have a full life at 74. I love my wife of 50+ years, my children and their families, our friends and all the churches I've served. Plus, I love my dog.

Cheshire is a dog-friendly town. Our three neighbors on this side of the street all have dogs. So do two of the three across the street and the one that doesn't had her dog die a few months ago.

Brigit is amazing. But she has a growth on her belly we thought was a nipple until Bern took her to the vet today. Next Wednesday they're going to remove it and clean her teeth while she's asleep from the surgery. She was a rescue from Georgia and her teeth are not good. She also is over-weight and we're cutting back on her food and treats.

Who isn't overweight during the Pandemic?

Me, that's who. When I visited the cardiologist my weight was 187. It was 219 a year or two ago.

I don't know why. I don't think I'm eating as much.

Anyway, that's good.

Lots in my aging life is very special and very good.

And even what isn't is better than the alternative.

 

Monday, October 18, 2021

OK, I get it...

This month I've had a blood test, an MRI, seen my Allergist, my Cardiologist, and will see my urologist on Friday, plus the two shots I get every month at Waterbury Hospital.

Next week I see two doctors and have another MRI about a heart valve issue.

OK, I get it--I'm getting older by the day.

I haven't wanted to admit it, but the evidence is clear.

I always take a book to the doctor's office since they are often so slow.

The Cardiologist is different. As soon and you sign in they take you to a room for blood pressure and EKG and the doctor comes in before I can read three pages.

I guess Cardiologists have to work fast.

I also use a cane every day.

I'm an old man.

It's hard to admit.

But I admit it.

I admit it.

It's not all that bad....

 

Sunday, October 17, 2021

What a disaster!

The sermon I posted a few days ago was a disaster!

I had read the wrong lessons--they are for next Sunday.

I was lost in time.

When I got to church today and looked at the lessons in the bulletin, I knew what I had done.

I explained, at sermon time, what I had done wrong.

I then faked a sermon on the spot.

Several people told me what I had said was great.

I didn't believe them.

What a screw up!

I felt like an idiot....

 

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Second in a row

I celebrated a Burial Office today at Trinity, Milford.

The one before was at St. John's, Waterbury. 

What they had in common was they were both funerals for a parent with an only child.

Since I am an only  child, they both reminded me of burying my parents.

Those two deaths--many years apart--we two of the few occasions I have ever wished I wasn't an only child.

(I tell the joke that whenever I begin to feel cheated by being an only child, I simply have to talk to someone with siblings!)

People were with me for both my mother's and my father's funerals, but none of them were going through the profound and painful regrets I was experiencing. The good times were very good with my parents, but their deaths caused me to remember how many times I disappointed them.

It would have been supportive to have brothers and sisters to share that with--they would have understood....

 

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About Me

some ponderings by an aging white man who is an Episcopal priest in Connecticut. Now retired but still working and still wondering what it all means...all of it.