Two Years? - 31 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 749

Micah 6:8
Genesis 45:5-7
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?

Two years ago today I started my daily blogging during the two week lockdown to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 case load. I missed only a couple days in that time (when my Dad was dying - I hope you'll forgive my distraction then), but it's time to stop this daily grind and move to a more occasional "schedule" of posting when I have something to post.
Check back now and then, won't you?

Please note that I'm not claiming there will be five more years where our various overlords will "take care of us" going forward, but I'm not claiming that there won't be either. (You do follow the scripture links in each post, don't you? The first and last are always the same, but the middle one(s) relate to the topic du jour, as it were.)

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.

Not the Boss of Me - 30 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 748

Micah 6:8
John 21:18
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, today is National I Am In Control Day. There's a fantasy of a day if ever I've noted one.

I am in control? Look in the mirror, pal. You're not seeing the one in control of much of anything - except maybe how you react to your circumstances.
Fantasy aside, it would be fantastic if we all did take control of our reactions (and proactions!) rather than simply lashing out in anger and fear whenever it becomes apparent that we really aren't in charge.

Of course, maybe this is why it's also World Bipolar Day. I'm just saying.

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.

Seals and Walruses have Ivory, Right? - 29 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 747

Micah 6:8
Psalm 45:6-9
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 29 March 1912 Robert Scott made his final journal entry. “We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.” The British explorer and his companions died on an expedition to the South Pole, and Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote spectacular music for a film about "Scott of the Antarctic" which later became his Sinfonia Antartica.

It's a wonderful, haunting piece of music.

Speaking of music, today is the 88th day of 2022, and on the 88th day of each year we celebrate Piano Day (because there are 88 keys on a piano keyboard, naturally). Go play a piano today. I may celebrate by finally scheduling a somewhat-overdue tuning for mine.

Cheers!

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.

How Many?! - 28 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 746

Micah 6:8
Psalm 90:12
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?


This week marks two full years since I started blogging daily. 31 March 2020 was the first of my Plague Days journaling. In that time I have missed only a couple days - back in the Fall when my Dad died - even if there wasn't much to write about or celebrate.

So - I think I'll be moving back to a much more occasional schedule of blogging. After all, you're all starting back to normal life (I hope) and don't need my postings to keep you sane and entertained, right?

At any rate, it's been a fun stretch to force myself to find something to write and share each day. Now I hope to put that "discipline" to work in trying to get my third novel back on track. I have a bunch of it written, most of it thought through / outlined, and mostly motivation is what's needed to get it done.

I'll still share things here now and again - probably back to the odd Carnage du Jour or Coinage du Jour to go with random observations of our now sadly post-Constitutional former Republic.

Still, life is good, God is good, and I want to share and celebrate both.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow (maybe).


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 - 27 March 2022 - Plague Journal Day 745

Micah 6:8
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
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?

For our 9:30 AM worship service we have the choir back at offertory time and our standard three hymns for congregational singing.

Also, there are still a few 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