A Busy Day - 12 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 730

Micah 6:8
Luke 10:38-42
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?

Well, I have way too much to do today, so there's not really time to post much of anything.

Sorry about that, but come back tomorrow and the following days; I should have something worth reading then.

Until then, enjoy this fabulous interlude.

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.

It's a Sign of the Times - 11 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 729

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?

I was asked who was my favourite Avenger the other day.
I said, "Mrs. Peel. Of course, Steed was very cool as well, but not cool enough to best Mrs. Peel."
Uncomprehending stares ensued.

As Al Stewart had it, Time Passages.

Oh, and about today's title ...

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.

Votes for Everyone - 10 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 728

Micah 6:8
Matthew 20:25-26
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?

On 10 March 1971 the US Senate approved an amendment lowering the voting age to 18. I remember that change, and I remember thinking that - even though I was one of its "beneficiaries" - it sounded like a bad idea. I still think it might have been a foolish move.

I understand the idea that "if they're old enough to be in the Army, they're old enough to vote," but when we dump kids at 18 into the Army, we don't ask them what they want, we tell them what to do and teach them how to do it. Does anyone really think it's a good idea to have folks with limited education (especially these days) and essentially no actual life experience decide how the rest of us should live and behave?

I have enough trouble accepting the current ruling class (who tend to match that description above, now that I think about it) and their whims and pronouncements. I think I'll go grab a spare $60k and buy a Tesla so I don't have to worry about gas prices. What idiocy.

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.

It's Not That Easy Being Pale - 09 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 727

Micah 6:8
Psalm 33:1-3
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?

If you're a Sunday reader of this blog you'll remember the last Sunday in February I mentioned a song would be transformed, or transposed, or transfigured, or something like that.
I was the soloist that Sunday, and my original plan was to sing a hymn to a tune other than its normal one - to transform the song that way (for Transfiguration Sunday, you see). Well, I ended up changing the meter instead of the tune (Rock of Ages in 4/4 rather than 3/2 if you're interested). So when I came across the video I've linked below it struck a chord, so to speak.

So there's really no reason for this one other than it's weirdly wonderful. It's Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" sung to the theme song from "The Muppet Show." (That Muppet opening looks like a more exciting Zoom meeting than most, doesn't it?)
It just goes to show you, when presented with a challenge, just go for it - you never know what might happen!
You're welcome.

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.

Gloating About the Goat - 08 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 726

Micah 6:8
Genesis 27:8-13
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?

As you know, we have a dog named Billie. I'm sure I've told you that she was named that due to her resemblance to a goat, both in conformation and behaviour. She jumps like a goat, she eats everything like a goat (I haven't caught her eating any tin cans yet, but one never knows!), she's just very caprine.

 
Well, she is a very fun companion, so it's nice to have her around. However, what with work and other obligations, Billie is often not with one or the other of us. Enter the Emergency Goat from Archie McPhee. It was (as I've noted here before) at least near the top of the list for all Christmas presents to anyone this past year. 

However, one of its best uses has turned out to be entertaining the spam callers who seem to check in on us each day. I have a feeling some of them enjoy it so much they call back regularly, hoping to hear the screaming, bleating, and all-around goatitude our phone line has to offer.
One can hope that's what it is. Now I've got to go. I think my car's warranty is about to expire!

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.

Feeling Like Bobby Flay - 07 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 725

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 44:19-20
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?

Why did I feel like Bobby Flay yesterday? It was all down to grilling, then chilling!
06 March is normally a bit early to break out the charcoal, but yesterday we topped 61F (16C) under sunny skies, so who was I to refuse?
As is my wont, I didn't just do one item - that's a waste of time and charcoal - so I ended up grilling up a mess of hot dogs, some smoked sausage, some chicken tenders, a bunch of little bell peppers, a large eggplant, and some lamb kofta. We shall see how it all tastes in the days to come, but the aromas were quite lovely. (Quelle est cette odeur agréable? C'est mes viandes!)

OK, that says the grilling, but what about the chilling?

We took Billie over to Dad's house to do some more emptying, but she obviously needed a walk, so I hooked her up and we headed over to Dave & Sue's to see if Jax might be out. He was, and they had a nice, short visit. Then we headed down to Lakeshore to go back to Dad's. Well, those blocks are really very long down there in the Shores, and the wind was really blowing, and the temperature had dropped quite a bit, now it was more like 40F (4C) with a strong wind. I was chilled by the time we got back.

So there you have it. I'll report back on the carnages des jours as they come up.

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.

Worship - 06 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 724

Micah 6:8
Luke 4:1-13
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?

For our 9:30 AM worship service we have the choir back at offertory time, our standard three hymns for congregational singing, and we're serving communion. We see it as the Lord's table, not our table, so why not join us for this sacrament?

Also, there are still some copies of our Lenten devotions book for 2022, so come and get one! (You can always read them at https://gpumc.blogspot.com as well.)

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