Screaming

Another leak. Another leaky roof. I have to wonder about things around here with all the leaking roofs. Maybe it is me screaming at the process in general. Silent Prayer.

Ice, Ice Baby

How unpoetic..... A vanilla ice rap song. I am content with my coffee and things I need to do today. No hurry. No worry. Peace, Quiet. Love.
Thinking about one of those Caribbean cruises I have been on.

Another Mystery – Solved!

I have been waking to a light being on in the bedroom and I did not turn it on. I come home and the lamp is on and I know it was off. We have touch lamps on nightstands that make life easy when we turn them on or off when we need light. To have them come on by themselves had me wondering.
I know whenever we had a power flux, they might come on but it was just happening too frequently so I thought they were failing.
I was in there yesterday and the phone rang and the light came on. I found out the why!!!
It appears when I moved some power cords I had crossed the phone line over the power cord. EM interference. I thought I had retired from this kind of stuff.
At least I don’t have the lamps going on anymore….

Lunch Buddy

I was asked to be a lunch buddy at one of the local elementary schools. I signed up, went through the mandatory background checks, then said I am available to anyone that needs a buddy. I was assigned a 3rd grader. This has been so much fun because I go in every few weeks and sit down at tables about half human size and eat fine dining, elementary school style. I also see kids from the local churches and neighborhoods that know me. It is so funny to see the smiles and waves from all of the kids. Well today, I had lunch with my “Honor roll lunch buddy” as I called him. He smiled and it was good to see him start to relax. I just love seeing all the smiles and hearing the stories from them. The kids in trouble for break dancing during PE. The kids having a silent lunch for talking out of turn. The strange things you can do with ketchup. I think this is a break from the past two weeks I have had. Seeing young ones is always a treat.

Excited

I was working last night on stuff and I kept hearing strange noises on the roof. I went out and found out it was sleeting, freezing rain and snowing. Sweetie has 1 inch of snow for her B'Day. I was exited enough to call out in German to her. Shades of getting snowed on in Munich and Salzburg. Those are good memories. 5 Years ago in Arlington when MIL got stuck with us for 5 days because of the blizzard....... you decide.

12:59 AM

I woke up again this morning soaked and hot but this time I had the Goose on me. He was asleep on my chest. I moved him and Alex moved in for his purr time. Goose them proceeded to stomp me and did circles over my head and around me. I do not think I slept well last night.

So here is Goose in a face plant on the bed.

Don't we all wish we could sleep this well?

Lent

A new journey. A new time. I am hoping to have more prayer time this year. I think that is what I am taking on. More time in silence. A thought in this world of noise and confusion.
Lord, open me to walk with you.

Mardi Gras

Great Tuesday is the literal translation. Eat and drink like there is no tomorrow because tomorrow you may die. Guess what? Everyday is like Mardi Gras. A gift. I think I might just be a little down today. 75 outside and I have to work. Really have to but it is my calling. Maybe I should put my bicycle outside so it remembers what warm weather is all about.

Missing Charlotte

Last night as I went to bed, I checked on her spot to she if she was settled in for the night. I then remembered that she has passed on.

Bird Feeder

We purchased some cheap (cheep) bird food at one of the chain stores. Talk about picky. The birds did not touch it. I put up a suet feeder and it remained untouched for a few days. No hawks or falcons that I can see but still no action at the bird feeder. I dumped the stuff and put in "premium" bird food and what a difference. Gold finches, cardinals, chickadees, tufted titmouses, junkoes and others all over the place. Do they have expensive taste?

Reflections

Yesterday was a bust as far as snow goes. Not much of anything. Waking to freezing fog was different. I've been thinking about this past week. What a blur. I just can not believe how much I had to do, go too and be at in a professional capacity. I think I will take it easy tomorrow and read some. The snow is forecast east of us.

Snow

They are forcasting nasty stuff for this region tomorrow. I guess I can stay home and watch movies!

Creation

Are we a perfect accident?

Something to think about.

Blessing of Peace

Eternal wellspring of Peace,
May we be drenched with the longing for peace
that we may give ourselves over
as the earth to the rain, to the dew
until peace overflows our lives
as living waters overflow the seas.

Book of Blessing p250

Strange sightings

Out for a bike ride I am going by a pond that there are white swans residing in it. As I go by I see a mitre hat and I thought the Pope must have jumped in and lost his hat. Funny it was a swan mooning me while looking for food on the bottom.
I must get my glasses checked.

Fruit Cake

I had a unique experience last week. While we were at the cannery, a family was making their annual fruitcake. I am not a fan of fruitcake but this was interesting. They mixed the mix and then put it into 15 oz cans then wrapped the tops with aluminum foil in the shape of a chimney. The cans were then put in the steamer for about 30 minutes then removed. The aluminum foil was removed and the cake that had risen above the top of the can was sliced off. The cans were then sealed and then steamed again for 30 minutes.
I had the chance to try some of it, reluctantly, and was quite surprised that it was an apple sauce, nutmeg and cinnamon flavor and was good.
My opinion of fruitcakes has been changed forever. It takes one good one to erase years of bad cakes.

Randomness

I needed to get a good spin in and think about my day ahead. I had the Ipod on random while warming up and a song I had not listened to recently came on. I heard the words:
Though I'm many miles away
I'll forever hear you say
I am your child
Please will you love me
Won't you stay my little one

I live to change your world
I live to change your world
Oh how you've changed my world
Know the kindness of God
Will make a way
(Darlene Zschech - Change your world)

Sweat is dripping off of me, my heart rate is about 150,
I am spinning at 90rpm and all I can think is we need to change a little everyday.
Not a lot but a little.
Just keep on changing because that is what God is calling me to do.

Friday Adventures

Making stew with one of my churches ended up being the most interesting Friday I have had in a long time. After a fire drill last night, today seemed more interesting. Learning the house beside the old parsonage that we had just sold burned down, they were being evicted and they thought it was my house on fire last night, I had to explain to another pastor’s spouse that we had moved into a house that actually is livable…

Going up to the cannery this morning proved interesting. I had no idea why people were going so slow until I hit my brakes and the ABS kicked in. We have ice. Black ice. The kind you can not see. I was wondering why all the school buses had pulled off the roads and were sitting there. I came to find out later that the rain we had was not expected and the temperatures were cooler than expected. My little thermometer in my car said 28 and it was raining. The cars on the road were doing about 15 and I said, they live here, they know the roads, best that I just follow. After passing two cars off I the ditches, I am thankful that the inner voice told me to be cautious.
While making stew, a worker from the school came in and told us what was going on and that the school was closed. Nothing we could do except keep on stirring.

I got home smelling like stew, showered and had 2 cats love me because I still smell. All in all, I really productive day full of blessings and grace.

How to look busy

During the season, the clergy I know are quite busy, but are we forgetting our focus? I think that the coming light gives hope, the coming light is a gift to us and the exchanging of gifts just is not about the latest gadget but what is in our hearts. Exchange love, give peace, look for joy, bring hope. That is my plea today.

Feelings after a Visit

I visit
There is light, barely.
Your eyes don’t have that smile I remember
You look at me or it feels like you are looking through me.
Where is the curl in the corner of your lips?
I am talking to you but there is no response.
I hold your hand, it is cool to the touch.
The bed alarms are making noises.
I pray for you. I ask for blessings for you.
I say goodbye and I struggle.
Mary, Your life was once so full.
Now you just lie in bed.
Are you there?
I am I reaching you?