My Hero

I spent much of the day waiting for the delivery of the bicycle I bought for myself for my birthday.  Finally, at 4:30, it arrived.  I knew, of course, that it would have to be assembled.  I waited patiently while Gerry did the assembling in the garage,  trying not to get too anxious.  Finally,  I opened the door and noticed that there seemed to be a problem.  Gerry said that the piece that holds in the handlebars was defective, and the handlebars could not be bolted into place.

I felt like a ten year old kid who could barely keep from crying! I was so disappointed;  I couldn't wait to try it out!   We called the company. They said it might be ten days to get the replacement part.  Then Gerry had an idea for a temporary fix.  He got a C-Clamp and clamped the handlebars to the central piece where it was loose.  That did work!  It is, at least, ride-able!   I took it for a spin around the block.   It is an old-timey bike, without any hand brakes or gears,  just your most basic girl's bike!

A little while later,  Gerry said he had an idea for a little better fix.  He went down into the basement and got a long bolt.  I don't know if he drilled into the center piece or what, but he put that big bolt in there, and that will surely hold it in place, long beyond ten days!   He commented:  "Farm boys have to learn to improvise".

There have been many many occasions in these thirty years when I have been very grateful that I married a farm boy!  They do indeed know how to do most anything.  At least, this one does!  How lucky I am!!

Fifty Voices

On Sunday afternoon,   I accompanied the choir, visiting a retirement home.  We lead a worship service there once a month.  The turn-out is incredible.  Our choir is sometimes between fifteen to twenty members.  Then about twenty five residents come to the service.   My best estimate is there are at least fifty voices.

This time, the set up was a bit different, with the grand piano in the center of the room.   The chair circle in which the residents sat had to be built around it.   The piano, the pianist, and I, the speaker, found ourselves in the center of that circle.

The circle was not very far from the speaker and the piano.   Then we sang the first hymn.  I was completely overwhelmed.  The fifty voices were all singing directly toward me!  It was an incredible experience, and it is hard to explain what it felt like.   Clearly, it was totally different from the sounds of a congregation from the pulpit area.  I felt surrounded with sacred sound, enveloped, uplifted, enthralled, transcendent.

The residents were attentive,  the anthem was lively and got some of the folks moving and clapping.  It was/ is my last one of those services at this time, as my tenure as Interim/ Pulpit Supply ends at the end of this month.  I wanted to do something special for the closing.   So I did the signing motions to the song "Spirit of the Living God".  As one who does not have singing talent,   I do so love signing.

By the third worship service of the day,  I am usually rather exhausted.   But that one was so unique, that I will long remember being lifted up by fifty voices singing "Holy, Holy, Holy".  

That's exactly what it was!

Honor Guard

Last night's Sixty Minutes show was dedicated to stories about wounded soldiers.  It was very moving.  Perhaps the thing that surprised me the most was the need of wounded soldiers to return to the battlefield for a more proper departure.  I would never have understood that, had I not heard about a program that does just that.  There is just something about going back, and re-visiting the site of the place they left so abruptly, that is helpful in beginning the healing process.

I do so very much appreciate all those who serve in the military, even though my own personal choice would always be to avoid war.  That, of course, is not always possible, even though I wish it were.   I have my own personal/life experience reasons for not wanting to think about the military very much, and to leave it all in the past.

But I will say, that every time I see or experience any Military Honor Guard doing their rituals, I am always deeply moved.  There is just something special about the discipline.  Or the beauty of the precision.  Or the compelling sight of them moving in unity that touches my spirit.  Maybe it has to do with the bond among soldiers, and their willingness to lay down their lives for their comrades, which they often do.

Many times when I was officiating at a graveside service, and the deceased had been a soldier,  I would get chills to hear the bugle player, always out of sight, playing taps.   That sad, soulful sound would waft through the air.   Day's end.  Life's end.

Thanks to the brave young men and women in uniform,  who do what they do to serve their country, and our freedom.  May they be safe.

Favorite Snack

I watched Dr. Oz one day while cooking dinner, and discovered this snack, which I have now had several times.  It it called "popcorn cauliflower."   Only recently have I been tuning in to Dr. Oz from time to time.  He has lots of good tips on health and food and eating.   Prior to this recipe, I would definitely not have said that I was a big fan of cauliflower!

But honestly, cooked this way, now I am!   You remove the florets from the stem and break them into small pieces, actually about the size of popcorn.  Toss in a bowl with a little olive oil, or spray oil.  Add some salt and pepper and roast in the oven until brown.  One could add a bit of parmesan cheese to 'fancy it up' a bit.  It does not really get crunchy, as the name might imply,  but it is very tasty indeed.

Just wanted to share this little snack.  Now, every week when I go grocery shopping,  I buy a head of cauliflower to enjoy!