Saturday, May 08, 2021

Pull An All-Nighter - 08 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 422

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 15:51-55  1 Thessalonians 5:6  Job 38
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Here we are on Mother's Day Eve, and how "appropriate" is this celebration, I ask you. Tonight is Stay Up All Night Night. I'm sure all the mothers out there would be more than thrilled to deal with totally un-rested children on Mother's Day, don't you agree? Who comes up with these things? Doctor Evil? Snidely Whiplash? Good grief.

Still, I do like a good all-nighter - especially when there's really no good reason for it. Back in my university days, I would often stay up all night reading novels that had nothing to do with any of the classes I was taking at the time, simply because I could. Early in our MYF leading days, I would stay up all weekend on retreats - again, simply because I could. Eventually I decided it was wiser to be rested and more aware and coherent, but it was fun while it lasted.


Sleep. Why do we do it? It seems a colossal waste of time to me. If only it weren't necessary, I wouldn't do it at all. Oh well, that's just the way we're designed, and who am I to question God's designs?

Keep Calm and 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.

Friday, May 07, 2021

Remember the Lusitania? - 07 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 421

Micah 6:8
1 Thessalonians 2:5-9  John 2:1-11
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Why did I reference that old slogan, "Remember the Lusitania!" today? Well, this is the anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915. Nearly 1,200 people were killed in the attack, and it was part of the justification for these United States' joining in World War I.

That got me thinking of all the other "Remember the ..." slogans through history:

  • Remember Pearl Harbor!
  • Remember the Maine!
  • Remember the Alamo!
  • Remember the Lusitania!
  • Remember the Titans!

Those all led me to a quote that's most appropriate for this weekend:

“I remember the big white house on Steiner Street, and my little sister Dagmar, and my big brother Nels, and Papa. But most of all, I remember Mama.”

That's from the opening of  the film and TV series, "I Remember Mama."


Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I pray you'll be able to spend time with your families, and that they will appreciate the time with you as much as you do your time with them.


Keep Calm and 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.

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Make A Book - 06 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 420

Micah 6:8
John 21:25 
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Make A Book Day. It is part of National Family Reading Week, and I heartily endorse both of these activities. It appears I was destined to write / make books, as I have recently found a book I wrote sometime in the first or second grade - and it still holds up! A riveting story of a young boy and his pet turtle, this is a page-turner of the first rank. I'm only glad I never had to write a sequel describing the ravages of salmonella wreaked upon the unsuspecting family by the tropical island-dwelling reptile.

(Aside: Does anyone else remember the PSA that ran probably in the 1960s showing Viking germs singing about salmonella to the tune of the Ride of the Valkyries? I can't believe I made it up, but I've never been able to find a copy of it anywhere.)

Back to making books. I've been involved in collections of recipes (two of those so far), devotional writings (20+ of those), a memoir, written a couple novels, a Bible study, a Christmas collection, a collection of writing prompts and exercises; the list goes on and on, and I don't see an end to it. The sense of accomplishment as each is published is very rewarding and I recommend it to you.

You know you have a story to tell, or some recipes to share, or some thoughts on various topics - why not get them written down and share them? You'll be glad you did.


Keep Calm and 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.

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

Able Was I Ere I Saw Elba - 05 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 419

Micah 6:8
Genesis 2:20-25
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

The first thing to celebrate today is that this is the 87th anniversary of the first Three Stooges film's release! Yes, I know Shemp wouldn't have been in that first release, but I don't care, because Shemp was the best third stooge.


(No, I don't know which film was their first. If you care to do the research and find out the answer, please let me know in the comments below.)


Next up is another anniversary. This is the 200th anniversary of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, the famed Corsican/French military officer, political leader, Emperor of Europe, and and temporary resident of Elba.
I hope that you'll enjoy this brief tale of an encounter with said exile, transcribed from the journals of Baron Prescott J. Urbanek: (following text copyright 2000, administered by Grand Teuton Press)

Episode One – A Brief Encounter with a Deposed Ruler

It was sometime in the Early Summer of 1814 when I found myself between adventures, sailing slightly less than aimlessly about the Mediterranean Sea. Being loath to allow myself what ordinary men consider luxury – that being a time of rest and relaxation – I determined to find somewhat wherewith I might occupy myself and my companions, much, I imagine, to their concomitant delight.

Day followed upon calm, nearly windless day, until, at length, we espied upon the breast of the horizon what had the appearance of a small, yet jolly island. I resolved at that moment to land there and to discover the secrets of this isle, for secrets I had little doubt were there in abundance.

A stout wind having arisen shortly after this decision had been taken, we were fairly swept to our destination on the wings of Zephyr, or one of his courtiers. Imagine, dear reader, my surprise and delight to discover that we had landed upon the Island of Elba – new home to the famously deposed Corsican, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Our paths having crossed at other times and places (which are much too tedious to detail here), we immediately fell to conversation, and conviviality ruled the day – and the night, were I to be frank. The somewhat diminutive Lion of Naples – as I take his given name – had fallen from the heights, yet retained the title of Emperor, and reigned over his new realm with grace, pride, and no little choler.

At any rate, the following day, it being a Thursday as I recall, Leo (as I found it pleasant to call him) led me about the island for nearly the full day, stopping only once, and that for a brief luncheon, it lasting well under two hours. It troubled me somewhat to see how the formerly energetic and ebullient Emperor had been brought low by a pain in his leg. He laid the blame for this pain to the account of a horse which had kicked him shortly before it expired – although I never heard the reason for its demise – but I had my own, darker imaginings. Leo's description of the pain struck me as being nearly identical to that I had found in the writings of the bard, in reference to the sufferings of one J. Falstaff; in short, I suspected a dose of the gout. I wasted little time in sharing this thought with my host, and he seemed receptive to the idea that his pain might be lessened by means of various medicants of which I had possession.

That very evening, after we had supped as elegantly as his small cadre of barely one thousand men would allow, I rummaged through my supplies, seeking that one bottle which might prove of use. A M. Cipriani proved most helpful in my search, and it was he who noted the label on a particular vial which proclaimed its contents to be good for "what ails ye" – what better recommendation could there be, we wondered. Nor were we to be disappointed. In accordance with the directives on the label of the bottle – Pure Cyprus Spring Water – we added a tincture of almond oil which added a delicious contra-flavore as they would say in Firenze. 

This blend of the slate-filtered philtre with the almond oil seemed to both soothe and energize my imperial host. In but a short time, his leg ceased to pain him, his colour began to improve, and his belly began once again to swell to its wonted size.  All was well with the world save one thing only – my dear Leo was not running it. His newfound Vigour and Vitality nearly burst from him in a fit of pique and spleen: "Mon Dieu, j'etais capable, avant que j'ai vu Elbe! Remplis mon verre!"

I expect that this potion should aid in his rule over Elba, and in his dreams of returning to France – only time will tell.

PJU



Keep Calm and 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.

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

No, Not _Those_ Orioles - 04 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 418

Micah 6:8
Psalm 84   Matthew 6:25-27
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I know I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. The middle Scripture references at the top of each of my posts are selected carefully to complement the topic of that day's writing. Please, do follow the links. Thank you.
In that vein, you'll note that I've linked to a Psalm today. It hits a couple of things I'm looking at today - birds, oranges, and poetry.


Today is Bird Day. I'm fairly certain it's not a celebration of Mark Fidrych, but feel free to share a memory of that fun time in Detroit Tigers history.
It's also National Orange Juice Day. That lines up nicely with Baltimore Orioles (no, not the baseball team, the birds for which the team was named), as those feathered visitors are strongly attracted to oranges and things coloured orange. We have an orange-roofed jelly bowl hanging in the backyard for them. Somehow it doesn't seem to matter that we're giving them grape jelly in that bowl, just so the roof is orange. Maybe they're not as smart as they think they are.

 
I do like orange juice, but it occurs to me that it's been ages since I had an Orange Julius. I think the last place I had the opportunity was in Niagara Falls, Ontario right near the Skylon Tower. If Canada ever opens the border again, I may have to stop in (unless the whole town is gone because no one has been allowed to visit for over a year).











I know I mentioned that choosing a Psalm hit two topics here, but so far you've only seen the Bird aspect. Well, today is also Poem On Your Pillow Day, so there you go - a psalm is a poem.

Keep Calm and 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.

Monday, May 03, 2021

A Great Place - 03 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 417

Micah 6:8
Luke 8:22-25
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


Today - the Monday of the first full week of May - is Great Lakes Awareness Day. I feel very privileged to live here in Great Lakes Central (that's the State of Michigan - Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice!). While I'm not actually on one of the five (count 'em - five!) Great Lakes, I do live just inland from the main Great Lakes connector lake, and I have visited all the Great Lakes as well as that source of paddling voyagers, Lake Nipigon. This is an amazing part of the world, and I feel blessed to live here. Now if we can just keep the Asian Carp from infiltrating ..

On a more domestic, home-bound note, today is also National Lumpy Rug Day. I'm afraid we have a lot of experience with lumpy rugs here at Cleveland, and when one perpetrator passes on, another takes his or her place.

Keep Calm and 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.

Sunday, May 02, 2021

Worship - 02 May 2021 - Plague Journal Day 416

Micah 6:8
1 John 4:7-21
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

 


This is the fourth Sunday in Easter

When the COVID case levels settled down in Grosse Pointe, we resumed our in-person worship.
Yes, we still have in-person worship in the Sanctuary today. You need to have registered ahead of time to attend, and an email went out from the church with all the details!

For our 9:30 worship service we are back to Pastor Ray for the message, a solo for our offertory time, and a hymn for us to read along while Doug plays. (We'll eventually get back to real Methodist worship - we'll be singing together again one day!) Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person.

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. We're still having trouble with the live stream, but a recording will be posted by late morning if it doesn't stream properly. Sorry about that - we're working on it!

Keep Calm and 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