A milestone and some trivia
Would you believe I am stillgetting over pandemic? As I have written before, pandemic and quarantine madeit so easy for me to stay home in the cottage and not take my mobility challengesout into the world. Oh, occasionally I have gone out to dinner with friends,but pretty much I invite people to the cottage for happy hour or supper. And Ihaven’t been to church since March 2020. I was a faithful virtual attendant,signing in on my computer almost every Sunday. But I missed the physicalfeeling of being in the sanctuary, (University Christian in Fort Worth is abeautiful sanctuary), being surrounded by music, being part of the community.
The Burtons also never got backinto the habit of weekly church. My minister friend Renee tells me the churchrecognizes that having once broken the church habit, it is hard to resume. Thisspring Christian began to really agitate for going to church. The three Burtonswent one Sunday, but I opted to stay home. Then this past week, I had fourrestaurant meals and somehow got a big boost to my confidence. So I said I’dlike to go this Sunday. It was the last day of a five-sermon series Renee waspreaching.
Christian and I went to church.What made it work is that he willingly pushed me in my transport chair. I thinkmuch of my hesitation was based on insecurity about walking with a walker—I can’tgo far without getting breathless. Today, being in the transport chair waseasy, and he agreed, proud that just the two of us handled it.
After church, several memberscame up to greet me, which made me feel really welcome. I asked one if shestill lived out in the country, quite a drive from church, and she said shedid. “It’s my little piece of heaven,” she said. I remember when the churchorganist, asked about the long hours she spends practicing at the organ, said, “It’smy happy spot.” My church friend had found her happy spot in the country. I realizedthat my happy spot is at my desk, not necessarily with my computer on, but atmy desk where I am in charge of my world. I think—and hope—each of us has ahappy spot.
It's Sunday night, and I amgetting ready to dine alone. Going to marinate some cucumber (I am never againbuying those tiny cucumbers—they taste different, and they go bad five minutesafter you buy them—I have heard that youshould wrap cucumbers in paper towel to keep them from spoiling; some say toadd a silver spoon—just sayin’.) I’ll have a leftover salmon patty and maybe abit of blue cheese salad. A nice evening.
Trivia: I saw an ad today formink eyelashes! No kidding! I thought of all the animal lovers (me includedthese days) who shun fur coats and wondered who is vain enough to want minkeyelashes. Maybe I misunderstood. No, they are all over the internet. A bitpricey, as much as $95. There is an internet warning that you are killing thesecute little critters. Do you suppose vain women care?
And get ready: I readsomewhere that stores are preparing to display their Halloween offerings. We’resweltering in the midst of summer, school hasn’t even started yet, andmerchants want us to think ahead to Halloween. I don’t guess so.
I saw a book title that I thoughtwas funny—until I read the description. There’s apparently a short storytitled, “Namaste Trump” which is the title story of a collection about brokenlives in small towns. I guess that’s appropriate if trump supporters can seethemselves clearly, which I seriously doubt. And then there is a book by thattitle designed for journaling and described as a gag gift for trump supporters.Wish we could see sales figures on that one. And finally there really is a MAGAjournal titled An Enlightened Trump Meditation.
I have no words. I am going togo quietly and eat my supper. Y’all have a good evening.
