42 - 31 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 659

Micah 6:8
Job 12:11-13
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


Yesterday, December 30 of 2021 marked the end of an era in the Bluegrass music. It saw the final performance of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver as a touring and recording band. There were 15,576 days between Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver’s very first performance in Buddy’s BBQ in Knoxville, TN on May 10 of 1979, and last evening's performance (headlining day 1 of the 3-day 2021 Jekyll Island New Years Bluegrass Festival). That 15,576 days is forty-two years, seven months and twenty-one days of brilliant music making from one of the finest mandolin stylists, arrangers, and teachers this music has ever seen - Doyle is also one of the finest men you'll ever want to meet. Oh, and he's become quite the snappy dresser lately, having adopted the classic Nudie suits once found in profusion on the Grand Ole Opry.
The Bluegrass, Southern, and Gospel music styles have gained so much from Doyle and his bands over the years that it's hard to see him go, but I certainly wish him all the best as he still contributes - just not from the road all the time. (and who can blame him for wanting to stop touring after well over 42 years?)

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

The Day Without A Day - 30 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 658

Micah 6:8
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Some of you may have followed our posts from the 2009 GPUMC Heritage Tour to England. If so, you may remember that the first real post from there was about The Day That Never Ends (a play on that childhood favourite, "this is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on, my friends." sorry if it's stuck in your head now). Well to help smooth that canlendrical wrinkle, just about two and a half years later,
Samoa and Tokelau skipped December 30 2011. Yes on this day in history in those islands nothing happened, because the day didn't exist.

"How can that be?" you wonder. Well, Samoa and Tokelau changed their time zone and moved west of the international dateline to align their time zone with Australia and New Zealand. To do so they simply skipped December 30 and moved directly from December 29 to December 31. Technically the islands didn't move across the date line, the date line was moved across them.

It took a crew of several thousand workers with long poles to lift the line over the various (fortunately not very tall) obstructions on the islands and settle it in its current position, just East of the islands.

On an actual 30 December, this one in 1865, the fabulous author and poet, Rudyard Kipling, was born. I really enjoy all that I've read of his writing, and would encourage you to find something he wrote and read it today to wish him a Happy Birthday!

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Farewell to a Friend - 29 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 657

Micah 6:8
Proverbs 18:24
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Wow. This shouldn't be so hard, but I guess I'm getting soft in my old age. I got a new stereo for the home office and got it all hooked up today (almost - the turntable seems to need a pre-amp, but I have one down the basement. Of course I do). The sad part is that means I'm getting rid of the old one.

"So what?" I hear you ask. So what? Don't you realize I bought that stereo at Hudson's at Eastland to take to university with me? That Sanyo stereo system with AM/FM Stereo radio, TEAC turntable, Aux In, and built-in 8-Track player has been with me since 1975. That's crazy. It still works pretty well, too. If I had opened the case and cleaned everything with electronics contact cleaner it might have served another few decades, but time marches on, I suppose.

Man, there was some good music played on that machine. Some pretty bad stuff too, of course, but let's not remember that.

Good-bye, old friend.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

28 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 656

Micah 6:8
Genesis 40:13-15
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Short Film Day - quite appropriate as I have finally found an 8mm video camera that works, and am recording old "films" onto my computer for eventual cleaning and burning to DVD or similar format.

It's been interesting to see what we thought was worth recording, and how we did it (note: I have not yet noticed any filming in the mirror to include the camera crew, but I'm sure it's there somewhere.). Even more interesting were the segments that were done by someone else filming for us. That's a very interesting take on things.

At any rate, even if you don't have old videos or home movies to view, go find an interesting short film on Netflix or YouTube and enjoy it. Even better - why not pull out your camera / phone / whatever and make a short film yourself today?! That would be the best way to celebrate.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

It's Not Chemo, Savvy? - 27 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 655

Micah 6:8
Psalm 115:14-16
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I don't know how it is where you are, but I am getting really sick and tired of fighting my dog, Billie, for the masks people just throw on the ground everywhere.

I get it, you want to wear a mask, but you want to get it off as soon as you can. Please don't just throw them on the ground for my dog to eat. There's no mask fairy out there picking them all up, you know. Just be what we each should grow up to be - a responsible adult - and pick up after yourself. It's not difficult, you know.

Just grow up and realize there are other people in the world: it's not all about you, and there are trash cans all over the place. (It's not all about me either, I'm just trying to keep my dog safe and the neighbourhood a little cleaner.)

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 26 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 654

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

For our 9:30 AM worship service we will have a piano soloist at offertory time, a vocal solo later in the service, and three hymns for congregational singing.

Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person, and intend to continue that practice indefinitely. Still, know that we miss seeing you in person - please come join in corporate prayer, praise, and worship as soon as you feel ready.

As usual, today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well. 

By the way, today is also Boxing Day. It's not a big thing in these United States, but maybe it should be. It started as a time of boxing up our excess clothing and so forth - after all, many of us just got a bunch of new stuff yesterday - and donating it to the needy. Boxing up our excess and sharing it. What a great idea. Maybe we should have a Rummage Sale the day after Christmas!
No, never mind - I don't want the UMW after me!

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264

Christmas Day! - 25 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 653

Micah 6:8
John 3:16
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^[b] who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.^[c]

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[d]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

²¹ And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Christmas Eve! - 24 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 652

Micah 6:8
Luke 2:1-7
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

This is Christmas Eve - the day before we celebrate the birth of Christ. Many start the celebration this evening with church services, family gatherings, even present openings. (How do they do that? Does Santa some early to some folks, just so they can do that? It just doesn't make any sense!)

In a literal sense, we'll start this evening with worship at church, then head home to finish all those last-minute things that somehow never get done until that last minute.
Still, in at least as real a sense, we started this celebration on 28 November - the first Sunday of Advent - as we started the journey of preparation for the Joy we celebrate on Christmas.
Further, in at last as real a sense as either of those, we've been celebrating for as long as we've been Christians. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge discovers, it's imperative to keep Christmas in our hearts every day of every year.

I had a conversation with a friend at church recently about C&E Christians - those who only show up on Christmas and Easter. He said that growing up he had been pretty much one of those, but no longer. My thought is that if we made worship more like those two all year we might get more Christians who realize that Christmas and Easter are just particular days to emphasize what we really do and believe all year (and all week!) long.

So celebrate Christ's birth today and tomorrow... and every day... and celebrate His death and resurrection every day as well.
After all, Love came down at Christmas, lived with us for a few decades, then died for us and rose for us.
Amen!

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

1.6 Kilometers Davis - 23 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 651

Micah 6:8
Deuteronomy 25:14-16
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

More history today! On 23 December 1975 U.S. President Gerald Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act into law. That's why all our road signs are in kilometers and our gas stations sell by the liter. (Please note - it was difficult for me to spell those words so Americanly - especially since we basically refuse to use them or even have any idea how big they are.) 

The Act made the metric system (specifically the SI, I believe) the preferred system of weights and measures in the United States. Of course it's used in science classes and engineering and not much else. Border States and cities may hear temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, but that's about it.

The U.S. is 1 of 3 countries in the world that do not use the metric system. Liberia and Burma are the other two. It seems we're hanging on to the Imperial measures (other than volume - our gallons are smaller) when the Empire has stopped. What's wrong with us?

I don't really understand the reticence. It's pretty darned simple to get used to - if you bother at all. And maybe that's what it comes down to. We don't want to be bothered. Lazy is as lazy does, sir.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Victory Is Ours! - 22 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 650

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 41:1-10
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is our ticket to herd immunity. It spreads more quickly than the previous versions, it produces milder symptoms, and it results in much stronger immunity (antibodies) than any of the vaccines. In fact, a recent study from Washington University School of Medicine indicates that once a person has had and survived COVID-19 he or she will likely have lifetime immunity. This seems ideal! Easier to catch, easier to tolerate and survive, and a one and done kind of infection.

As I've said before, it's time to declare victory and open the world again. Lockdowns and masks clearly don't stop the spread of this stuff - look at New York if you're interested - but if they do anything at all, then by keeping us apart they slow down any chance at herd immunity. You remember herd immunity, don't you? That was our original goal before it was changed to 70% vaccination rates before it was changed to no one ever getting sick before it was changed to whatever the goal du jour might be now.

It's time to follow the science.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Winter Is Not Coming - 21 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 649

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 55:10-12
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

That's right, Winter is not coming - it's here! At last it's Winter!

This morning we moved from Autumn into Winter at the Winter Solstice! This is what Stonehenge is all about according to the show I watched a few days ago - the Winter Solstice, not the Summer one currently celebrated by the herd of ersatz druids each June.
Of course if you're of an antipodean persuasion, you'd be forgiven for calling this the Summer Solstice, as Summer has arrived in our Southern Hemisphere.
(See, Winter is not coming there for a long time either.) 

Hey - maybe Stonehenge was made by a band of Aussies on walkabout way back when? How's that for a new theory, History Channel? I think they need me on their program development team.
You're welcome, network executives.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

I Can Name That Tune - 20 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 648

Micah 6:8
Colossians 3:16
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today we have a couple celebrations that should work very nicely together. Today is both Games Day and Go Caroling Day. Many folks of sufficient age will remember a TV game show called Name That Tune where contestants vied to identify popular songs using the fewest notes. "I can name that tune in five notes," was a common statement there. (In my research I've discovered that this show is back, so one needn't have all that many years of viewing to remember it!)
Well, why not have a caroling outing where those on whose porches you stand would try to guess what you're singing in the fewest notes? What could be more fun than that?
OK, lots of things would be much more fun than that, but still, why not give it a go? I'd love to hear stories of Name That Carol here in the comments. (note that I hold out little hope for that actually happening)

 Now go spread some Joy to the World!


Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 19 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 647

Micah 6:8
Luke 2:1-7 
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

 

For our 9:30 AM worship service we will have a sort of pageant presented by the children of the congregation with a special soloist at offertory time, and lots of carols and hymns for congregational singing. We'll light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath as well - Christmas is almost here!

Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person, and intend to continue that practice indefinitely. Still, know that we miss seeing you in person - please come join in corporate prayer, praise, and worship as soon as you feel ready.

As usual, today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264

The Test of Time - 18 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 646

Micah 6:8
Luke 8:11-15
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Mannheim Steamroller. We discovered them the same night we discovered Jolt Cola. That was back somewhere in the 1980s (at least that's my assumption since Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas CD came out mid-80s, and Jolt debuted then as well) at a progressive dinner.

As I recall, we were at the house serving salad and other pre-entrée fare where Jolt was on offer and the stereo was Steamrolling. The extra caffeine was fine, but the extra sugar made our teeth itch, so Jolt simply wasn't for us. The music, however, was captivating.

No doubt you're wondering which one has stayed relevant to us. Which one has stood the test of time?
If you must know, it's the musical one (no real surprise here as that was probably pretty well telegraphed in the previous paragraph). In fact, we're going to see the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert this year! That should be fun.


Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

There's No Need to Fear! - 17 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 645

Micah 6:8
1 John 4:18-21
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Underdog Day! Yes, that classic(?) cartoon is the source of my title today.There's no need to fear - Underdog is here!

I think it's very cool that this day comes up at the time I was going to post about the good news we're getting on the COVID front these days. The omicron variety seems like it's asking us to just go ahead and declare victory. As is generally the case, this virus is mutating its way toward being more virulent and (much) less deadly. Remember - virulent means how easily it spreads, not how severe it is; don't let media hype of a more virulent strain freak you out.
Why does a virus tend to mutate this way? If it doesn't, it won't survive - that's the basic reason. If it doesn't spread quickly, it will die out. If it kills its host, it will die out. The ideal situation from the virus's perspective is to spread quickly and do less damage. That's what they tend to do because if they don't they won't be around long.
It really is time to stop being deathly afraid of something that is getting less and less deadly, don't you think? As the saying goes, fear is the mind-killer. Even better, check the link to 1 John above!
By the way, as far as newsworthy strains, it sure seems like we skipped from Delta (#4) straight to Omicron (#15). Were the other ones really that extra-wimpy? (I know we skipped Nu and Xi for linguistic and political reasons - that still leaves eight other letters we never heard.)

On an even happier note, today is also National Maple Syrup Day, so I'm glad I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast with a little dose of maple syrup on it. Jack and Roma are glad too - they get to lick out the bowl!

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Give Me Coffee Or Give Me Death! - 16 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 644

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 10:21
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today marks one of the main reasons Americans drink so much more coffee than tea. Yes, it's the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. (I know my pseudo-quote in the title is not from that event, but feel free to berate me in the comments if you wish.)
When Parliament decided to tax their countrymen's tea - but only those in the colonies! - it was the tax that broke the camel's back (to mix some metaphors).

We (the colonists, soon to be Americans) decided that if they were going to charge us extra to drink tea, we'd just switch to coffee and let them have that Eastern swill. And so here we are, lo these many years later, drinking our fill of Jamaican Blue Mountain or Tanzanian Peaberry or Ethiopian Hararar or whatever type we like best, happily keeping our pinkies right there with the rest of our fingers as we raise a mug rather than a teacup. Serves you right, you tax and spend Parliamentarians! Fie on thee and thy house!

I think I'll have another cup. Cheers.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Self Evident? - 15 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 643

Micah 6:8
John 18:37-38
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Bill of Rights Day. (The Bill of Rights became law on this date in 1791.) That's kind of an important reminder these days. It's instructive to realize that the dispute over including the Bill of Rights when the founders were writing the Constitution wasn't whether the people should have those rights, but rather whether there was any need to call them out specifically. After all, the Constitution says that the government is limited to what is specifically allowed in the text, so why would we need to call out certain rights specifically? Isn't it obvious that they can't be infringed? Clearly it's not - even when it's called out specifically.
Read the documents and you'll be puzzled by the difference between what our government was supposed to be and what our self-appointed ruling class have made it.

Interestingly, today also marks the anniversary of the 21st Amendment's coming into effect - repealing Prohibition. Raise a glass to the 21st Amendment today! (Did you know that's why the legal drinking age is 21?)

(By the way, I do know my title comes from the Declaration of Independence, but that document seems to be as much ignored as the Bill of Rights, so I thought it was a fair reference.)

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.