Stinky Cheese Man

Our children loved this book, The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales.

Our son returned from France with a gift of Very Stinky Cheese for us. My refrigerator smells like a Frat House Frig when opened. Ewwww!

The cheese, however, is delicious!

Rewrite time: look for "The Stinky Cheese Gift and other Fairly Stupid Tales".

Wearing a Clothespin on My Nose,

St. Casserole

P.S. LS called French food "bland" and was delighted to share the Tabasco sauce brought by the two Texas students. I am stunned.

That's What I'm Talking About....

It will take years,

St. Casserole

He's Home!

LS arrived at the N.O. airport on-time and happy! We are happy, too!

Sorry for the delay in letting you know of his safe arrival. Big church meeting yesterday with all the other churches consumed yesterday. I sat through the meeting fighting sleep and listening to our Big Cheese (lovely sermon, peaceful presence) and visiting with colleagues.

I sew stuffies at Big Church meetings. Makes people wonder what I'm up to but it keeps my hands busy and, I hope, restrains my comments.

We had tough issues before us and then the pleasant task of receiving new preachers into our fold.

I'm fine and hope you are the same,

Yours,

St. Casserole

Today, LS makes his way back home from France.

Would you pray, with me, for traveling mercies?

Always A Mama,

St. Casserole

According to the NYTimes, the Riverside Church in Manhattan is looking for a new senior pastor. James Forbes, one of my favorite American preachers, retires June 1.

I'm available for the senior pastor position.

I believe that I have a unique perspective to offer Riverside.


I'll be sitting by my phone,

St. Casserole

Behold, I am drinking a new thing...

Right this very minute, I'm drinking a Diet Coke Plus, the just released vitamin and mineral enriched member of the D C family.

I burst out laughing at the grocery when I saw the boxes!

Oh yeah, let me drink gallons of Diet Coke AND get my strength up!

Yours,

St. Casserole

Guest Blogger: Fish the Cat to Meleeh the Cat

Dear Meleeh,

Thank you for the beautiful card you made for me. I chewed on the ribbon. Thank you for sending a pic of yourself. I won't hiss at you much if you come to see me. I know what you look like. You are beautiful like Andy. He has black stripes just like you!

I'm doing just fine. My ortho paw ic doctor says that she'll x-ray my leg next week and "clean-up" my splint. I do my best to keep the splint clean by licking it. Can you see my pink toes sticking out of the end of the splint?

I spend hours under my turtle quilt. I think deep cat thoughts there.

I wrote a poem about my splint:

I hate my splint
It stinks. I hate it.
Step-step-step-drag.
Don't call me Gimp!
I hate my splint!

Like it? I'm really good with poetry. Everybody says so.

Your Pal,

Fish the Cat

Dear Sheryl Crow,

You don't know me but I heard that you want us to use one square of toilet tissue when we go to the loo.

Thanks a bunch.

I believe you would encourage us better by following my method.* First take all the paper trash in your home (mail, cereal box paper, Kleenex) and place in a large Sun Tea Jar. Let the water warm over several days and turn the paper into mush. Do not use paper with glue until you've licked off all the glue or removed it with a knife. Compost the glue residue from boxes, etc.

Pour the water out of the Sun Tea Jar. Take the paper mush and squeeze out the water until you can roll out the mush into sheets. Let these sheets air dry with solar energy.

Next, take the empty bag from a breakfast cereal box and fill with rainwater. Empty out the water and let the bag air dry. Tear old t-shirts into 6" squares. Place the clean wax bag from the breakfast cereal and the t-shirt squares into your purse.

When nature calls you to give back to the earth in a profound and elemental way, use the t-shirt squares to freshen yourself. Place the soiled squares into the cereal bag. Put back into your purse.

When the bag is full or people notice that you are carrying a bag of soiled torn up t-shirt pieces, take out the squares and soak them in a soapy water mixture in a large glass jar. Let the sun warm the soapy water. Agitate the jar when you feel like it. After several days, add the soapy water to your compost heap. Take out the squares and dry them in the sun.

Take the mushed dry paper and write a poem about out doing Sheryl Crow.

Sincerely,

St. Casserole

*I made this up.

It's been one year, seven months and 30 days since the storm.

We don't have reliable t.v. service.

I can't watch Saturday Night Live while I wait for Mr. C and LD to return from the Jazz Fest because we can't get NBC.

It's hard to realize what it means when the infrastructure is destroyed in such a large area.
At least, we don't have the bombs and guns of the War Zone. Just the destruction.

Not really happy at this moment,

St. Grumpy, I mean, Casserole

The Real Reason We Got A Large Pasta Bowl 2

Andy, the greatest indoor/outdoor cat in the State resting.

Curb Day

We're having a community-wide clean-up this month. Of course, I can't recall the exact dates but this morning struck me as a great day to heave up the rest of the greenhouse detritus. Losing the greenhouse wasn't much of a loss because the old building stood upright barely. Losing the storage space isn't easy.

We are starting a hot trend of displaying lawnmowers, weed-eaters, rakes and shovels as PORCH DECORATIONS.

At least we don't have several cars up on blocks, an old sofa on the front porch and a broken refrigerator in the front yard. Before the storm, people littered their yards with junk out of je ne sais quois and lack of storage. After the storm, stuff just blew where it blew. So there.

Our Mayor's wife declares that IT IS TIME to clean up the debris. She's correct. I'm with her on this. You wouldn't believe how much construction material trash, giant trees and other mess remains here. The gov. paid for clean-up several times but if the insurance people aren't forthcoming with claim payments and people are old/tired/poor/depressed, then how can all the debris be out by now? No way.

I put my stuff out by the street hoping those who want it will grab it. I've had two folks load up already.

Years before the storm, I picked up a gorgeous rug for my study off of a trash pile. I stopped my car to investigate the rug when I saw it thinking it must be pet defiled or burned. Nope, spotless and perfect for my study floor.

So, I'm passing along my junk. What's left will be piled for the community clean-up.

The orange warning cloth on the right is scant protection for a giant hole left by falling trees and a crushed drain. Come on, City, fix it.

Recycle, kids, recycle.

Happy,

St. Casserole

Actual Conversations

*Mr. C. forgot his cellphone so he borrowed a colleague's cell. Looking through the phone list, he saw "Scumbag".

Mr. C: Who is Scumbag?
Colleague: The guy who stole my truck.


*Driving to yesterday's meeting, I stopped for a cinnamon roll at the bakery in Tiny Town.
After paying, I thanked the owner for making great rolls.

Bakery owner: You are from the Ghost Coast?
St. C: Yes, I'm from the Ghost Coast...

Thanks for your comments on the previous post. I'm doing better this morning.

St. Casserole

Never, Never Give Up

Three days before Hurricane Katrina, I strolled into Steinmart to see if they had something I wanted. I looked through the clothing but found nothing. None of the jewelry tempted me. Wandering into the home accessories department, I found a sign, which said "Never, never give up."

Not realizing that we were facing a Category Five in your Hurricane Hit Parade, I bought the sign and drove home.

The sign interested me because I admire the tenacity of Mr. C. who does not give up. He may pivot to re-assess his focus, he may study the situation looking for a solution but he does not give up. His parents started over from scratch twice in their marriage. The 1947 storm (before hurricanes had names) wiped out their boat repair business. The other start over is family lore and not to be told here. His people just keep going forward.

I feel like quitting this afternoon. One more time, I explained to the powers why the current head of an important governing body group should be given a plaque and a party so he can go home. While the current head is capable in many areas, he is not good with people.

Months ago, when I realized that his behavior was harming those around him, I prayed about the situation and went to see him. I shared my observations about his behavior and the consequences to those around him. He was unmoved and explained that he knew what he was doing. I let time pass until I heard again of an action which hurt someone to the quick. I went to see him again. He was unmoved.

Praying more about the situation and wanting, with all my heart, for this to be worked out, I took an elder with me to speak with the man. The elder agreed with my assessment having witnessed unkind behavior. Time passed. We went to see him again.

Four times, I spoke as gently and clearly as I know how to this man about his bad treatment of others. He was not moved.

I spoke to him in our committee meeting about situations I was spending more and more time trying to fix so that those harmed could regain their dignity and go forward. Nothing changed. At the next meeting, I explained the problem to the committee with the man present.
Nothing happened.

The larger governing body attempted to intervene as I am not the only person troubled by this situation. Conference calls, emails and meetings took place so that everyone who wished might say how they felt about the man's behavior. I learned that worse things went on that I hadn't known about. I felt heart-broken. Where a few acts of kindness from the man would have turned him into a hero, he stomped on people.

Today, the larger group met with the smaller group to discuss the situation (and two other issues which need to be addressed but cannot be resolved until the man steps down). No one discussed the big elephant. The chair suggested that he would not proceed unless people spoke up. People did not speak up. People who needed to be heard were absent from the meeting.

I spoke up.

Nothing happened.

I want to give up. I tell myself that I have plenty of things to do and that I have spent hours upon hours since the storm trying to affect change, reconciliation and progress. Nothing I do seems to impact the situation for the better. Nothing.

Mr. C. says for me to let it go. I say I don't like to see meanness without speaking up to change it.

What would you do?

Very discouraged,

St. Casserole

Guest Blogger: Fish the Kitten

Here I am. I am on my who man beans bed under a cover with turtle print.

I don't feel happy or good or anything.

I am going to the orthopaw this afternoon to check my splint. I

f your splint slips, you are in big trouble.

I don't know if I have a slipping splint.

I hate it.

I dislike it strongly.

I will not send a Christmas card to my splint.

I vote my splint "a fierce, bad thing".

You can have my splint.

If anyone asks you how I feel about my splint, tell them I think my splint is despicable.

Yours,

Fish the Kitten

Marshall Ramsey, editorial cartoonist of The Clarion-Ledger, gets it right. How would you do with a 90% increase in your homeowner's insurance?

Worried about my people,

St. Casserole

P.S. When is someone going to figure out that the insurance industry decides our medical care, work and home lives? Should any industry control our lives as the insurance industry does?

The Real Reason We Bought This Giant Pasta Bowl

St. Casserole

Guest Blogger: Fish the Kitten

Thank you to Molly, Tillie, Mindy, Cub and Angus my RevGalDogPals for your kind words.

My nanny, Sister the Dog, sends you a internet dog cookie!

Thank you, Littlemankitty, Callie, Lucy, Teddy the Pirate Cat, Truffle and Ouzo my RevGalCatPals for being nice to me and not hissing.

I know I'm better off than most cats. My leg will heal. I have Sister, my dog nanny and my brother Fish to keep me company. My who man beans are kind to me, too.

I'm thinking today about the pets of the Virginia Polytech Institute tragedy whose lives are disrupted and who cannot find their favorite people. I'm thinking about the pets whose homes flooded Up North, soldier's pets and pets in war areas.

I think we need a world where every cat and dog is as well-treated as we are.

Fish the Kitten

I look over the classified section of our local news on Friday mornings. Any estate or garage sales of interest going on this weekend?

When I began this blog, I thought I'd write about my interest in "material recycling", ie. junking.
It may be fun to find junk but it seems silly to write about it.

If I reflected on the travels of each antique piece through the first owner to me, or why this tertiary market interests me, perhaps it would be fun for you to read.

Maybe I feel silly writing about going through junk. Many people can't tolerate the idea of "old" things, others don't want anything but new. Then there are those whose material wants are so few that the idea of acquiring junk "just because I like to look at it" is repugnant.

Hello. My name is St. Casserole and I am a Junker.

Guest Blogger: Fish the Kitten

Dear Friends,

I may call you friends because on the Internet we are all Ginger cats. I am getting along with my hind leg splint rather well. I can jump on and off of the Who Man Beans high bed, get to my cat crunchies and water bowl.

I spend many hours reflecting on my life under the bed covers. This quiet retreat allows me to consider important questions and revise the outline of my novel. I am not depressed. I am keeping body silence so that I may heal. I do nap, from time to time.

My balance is not as good as it was before the fracture. I clawed into the sole of Mr. C's foot last night as he slept when I wanted to get off the bed. He didn't care for this. I dipped my splint foot into the water bowl. These things happen.

Whistle cannot restrain his kitten humor. He calls me "gimpy", "tripod" and "dragster." I forgive him because She gives me more cat cookies than he gets. I'm enjoying her sympathy.

Keep those cards and letters coming. I return to the pawopedic doctor on Monday.

Very Truly Yours,

Fish

The New Yorker April 16, 2007

Just for fun, look at the Saks Fifth Avenue ad on page 3. Is Tyke Darlington wearing a seersucker jacket with a red cloth skirt with plaid and fringe?

Skirt. Not shirt. Skirt.

Just wondering,

St. Casserole

Honesty

I'm listening to Alexander McCall Smith's The Right Attitude for Rain as I drive around. This is the third book in the Sunday Philosophy Club series with Isobel Delahousy.

Isobel is discussing theft with her niece Kat's deli employee. Coffee bags have gone missing from the deli again. Isobel muses on the subject, with careful deliberation, as she does on every subject.

I began to consider honesty, too. We aren't to take what isn't ours. There is no excuse for stealing. Stealing is violent; stealing is disrespectful; stealing takes a bit our our souls away when we take something that doesn't belong to us, etc.

After a few minutes of reflection, I reached into my purse to get a lipstick. As my hand moved around in my purse, I pulled out a ballpoint pen. Not recognizing the feel of the pen, I looked at the pen. Taped carefully to the side of the turquoise plastic pen was a neatly written note, "Do Not Remove".

I don't know whose pen it is. Where did I pick up this pen? Bank? Water Department? Office?
Can't return it. Don't know where the pen belongs.

Over the years, I've noted the synchronicity of my ranking/blasting/pontificating against something only to find myself guilty of the offense, too.

Human here,

St. Casserole

Goodnight, Mr. Fish

After a tiring day of being in the orthopawdic vet clinic, Fish the Kitten settles down for a long cat nap in his bedroom.

Please, no calls tonight. Let the poor kitten rest.

St. C.

Press Secretary for Fish the Kitten

My friend, Little S., works with Virgina Tech students.
I left a message for her. Haven't heard back as yet.
I am so sorry for everyone in Blacksburg, the parents of students there and anyone connected with VT.

Lord, have mercy.

St. C

Diagnosis: Fracture Above the Knee

Fish the Kitten has a fracture! His orthopedist confirmed that Fish has a fracture right above his knee, a rarity for cats. No bruising, punctures or anything showed up around the injury so the ortho has no clue how Fish hurt himself.

Fish will be wearing the red splint for 8 weeks with weekly orthopedic visits to check the splint.
He will drop out of "Dancing With the Cat Stars", bottle cap soccer and his Tai Chi classes for the duration.

We hope he will learn to be content with the awkward splint and not become depressed as athletes do when required to refrain from activity.

Send your notes and cards to: Fish the Kitten, 3145 A. Washington Avenue, Gulfport, MS, 39507 and these will be delivered to him.

Thank you,

St. Casserole
Press Secretary for Fish the Kitten

Fish the Kitten limps. He does everything as usual but he limps. I can't find a lump, a bump or anything. Mr. C moved his hind leg a bit and only when Fish's hip joint moves several degrees do we hear a wee meow.

He's on an antibiotic.

When asked about his limp, Fish said, " I have a fashionable sports injury because I am a dancing cat. Please buy a case of Greenies Cat Treats (the fav cat cookie of Sportif Kitties) and let me sit in the open box..."

Ever the Mom,

St. Casserole

Talking with Widows

All of us in pastoral ministry visit widows. Church is filled with widows.

As a young pastor, I thought that being a widow wasn't too much of a big deal. Men die before women so if you live long enough, you lose your husband. Women must know this, I thought, so they are prepared.

At that time, I didn't know anything about long time love, like being married for decades. Didn't know a thing about the loving meld of a committed relationship.

I didn't intend to be dismissive of widow's grief. I knew nothing about it.

I will have lunch soon with a recent widow. J. died just a few weeks ago. His wife, T., is a friend of many years. Both were in their 70's (is this the New 50's?) with a 50 year marriage.

Pastoral care means visiting with the family before a death occurs, if you can. Then, visit the dying and their family. When you get word of the death, go visit as soon as you can. You may be planning a funeral for the family so you'll want to talk with the wife, children and any family who come to grieve with her. Ask those funeral planning questions.

What I didn't know as a young pastor, and what I know now from observation is the disruption caused by death.

When a spouse dies, the survivor loses the most significant character in their life Story. One day, identity is assured; the next day, all is up for grabs.

Our part of this is to allow the spouse to tell her story as often as she wishes. Some think that bringing up the dead spouse in conversation may be too painful. Denial of death makes grief more horrible. We talk about our spouses and then we are to be silent about them?

Widows don't know themselves after their spouse dies. Some of course are relieved and we must acknowledge and affirm this with them because every death makes someone happy. Perhaps the decedent's physical pain, now ended, causes joy. Or, the spouse was a creep and the widow is free of him.

One of the charming things I observe is how at death, a widow can turn a spouse she complained about every moment becomes A Great Saint. Why not? As long as she is able to heal from death, we may need a few saints. Yep, I said that.

I dread the day I lose Mr. C. His life means all to me and I've been grateful for his presence in my Story from Day 1. At this point, everyone says, "well, he wasn't perfect" and I say, "of course not! who'd want to be married to a perfect human?" When my Story is told you'll hear about Mr. C because, by God's Grace, we've had a love match.

Blessings to you,

St. Casserole

Several Things

• You've read here about how much I miss seeing trees against the sky. Well, guess what? It's all a matter of perspective! If I move to my back porch and look to the North, I see enough trees against the sky to satisfy me!
• "Flake" The South's Original Potato Chip Dill Flavored are the worst chips we've ever eaten. No wonder Mr. C was so cordial about handing me the entire bag. Yuk. I like dill pickles but these chips are despicable.
• Fish the Kitten is limping still. I took him to his Vet on Monday who checked out his right hind leg without finding anything. He's taking antibiotics and pain relief without much success. He's going back to see the Vet tomorrow if I don't seem improvement. He's eating, litter-boxing, and drinking fine but favors the hind leg.
• Early this morning, the moon was quarter phased and the sky a canopy of stars. Beautiful.
• I'll be at a church meeting uppada road this morning. This means I'll have to shop on the way home. Really. Several stores up there are prime.
• LD goes for a church retreat weekend with the Methodists. I hope she enjoys it because her last church retreat wasn't fun for her.
• If the Clutter Patrol pays a surprise visit to my home, I will win a prize! I sent P. home with a load yesterday and my car trunk is full with bags to donate but still...

Blessings,

St. Casserole

What I Am Reading Today...

"Everywhere I go, I meet people, old and young, from all over the world, and they tell me about their lives, their relationships, broken families, their addictions, shame, guilt, failures. You'll never be able to speak into their souls unless you speak the truth about your own wounds. You need to tell them what our Lord has come to mean to you in the midst of your disappointments and losses. All ministry begins at the ragged edges of our own pain," he said.

I couldn't figure out who Thomas knew about my relationship with my father, much less that I was a pastor trying to fool people into believing he was perfect. For years I'd felt this pressure to convince everyone that I had the leadership skills of Bill Hybels, the pastoral gifts of Henri Nouwen, and the teaching acumen of John Stott. I'd never thought sharing my brokenness with people was an effective church-growth technique.

"Do you know the story of Rabbit Zusya? he asked. "he was a Chasidic master who lived in the 1700s. One day he said, "When I ge to the heavenly court, God will not ask me 'Why aren't you Moses? Rather he will ask me, 'Why aren't you Zusya?'"

Thomas let that thought hang in the air for a moment, then continued, "Churches should be places where people come to hear the story of God and to tell their own. That's how we find out how the two relate. Tell your story with all of its shadows and fog, so people can understand their own. They want a leader who's authentic, someone trying to figure out how to follow the Lord Jesus in the joy and wreckage of life. They need you, not Moses," he said.

from Chasing Francis, A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron NavPress 2006

I'm only to page 77 and the reader can tell that this is a first book but so far, I'm entralled.

St. Casserole

Easter

Happy Easter to all of you.

Mr. C. and LD went to Little Church with me this morning. Mr. C. drove and I pointed out where to look for the fallen pecan orchard, the goats in the field, the Brahmin cattle, the Buffalo herd and the field of lambs. He noticed these but commented on the hurricane debris piles along the road and in the pastures as well as the damaged homes yet to be repaired. When he saw the McMansions built by fleeing City People he couldn't believe it.

We had a big crowd in worship, as I expected. Whole families arrived with kin I don't see except on Big Holidays. Our cute every-other-Sunday organist who looks like a 16 year old brought her two enormous boys. One of my members tried to introduce her husband's sister's cousin's nephew to LD thinking that LD was an adult. When I announced LD's upcoming 15th birthday, the member turned green. This was a hootin' church experience for LD who was charmed by the introduction.

Perhaps the highlight for everyone present, not counting the second hymn which no one knew (and after hearing it I don't want to know it), as a grand gesture of inclusive holy prayer, I knocked my water glass off the pulpit into the offering bowl.

Faithfully,

St. Casserole

I am thinking about:

Holy Week

how hot it is early in the morning already (70's today at 5:30am!)

signs of Spring in our yard

LD's birthday next week

Phil Rickman's new Merrily Watkins' book, The Remains of an Altar

my covenant group and the Lilly project

how I don't wear white dress shoes even after Easter

my LLS and LSiL

prayer and hope


What's on your mind?

St. Casserole, always thinking even if I look half-asleep

What I Am Reading Now

Getting on Message, Challenging the Christian Right from the Heart of the Gospel
Rev. Peter Laarman, Editor 2006.

St. C

From our local obituaries:

"Henry was a devoted and loving husband and caring father, a voracious reader, naturalist, consummate fisherman, gardener, and avid apiarist. His family and friends grieve his loss as do his plants and bees. Trout and redfish, however, rest easier."

It's good to live here.

St. Casserole

Hurricane Katrina blew through here one year, six months and 26 days ago.

We were fortunate that our home survived (and Hurricane Camille, too!) but we sustained roof damage when a neighbor's tall pine fell on the corner of our home.

A carpenter came yesterday to begin repairs before he discovered that the job is beyond his experience.

I want a repaired roof. So far, we don't have leaks but the corner of the roof is dented and the sofit/fascia needs repair.

We are better off than many, many people here.

But, I need a capenter. And, a plumber to discover the gas leak in the back yard.

The sod truck came today with 12 pallets of sod for for our yard. THIS is progress. C., the landscaper, is doing beautiful work for us.

Just tellin' you,

St. Casserole

Shopping with Listing Straight

Listing (left) and St. Casserole go shopping at Carr Mill. We bought identical outfits. We believe this is very goofy but we each liked the linen top and trousers. I said "trousers" just to sound sophisticated.

Listing found several outfits whereas I found this one. When I got back to LS and LSiL's, my LSiL said she wanted the identical outfit, too.

Listing is way fun so I'm sorry she lives far away.

In fact, why do all of youse RGBP and others live so very far away?

I'm meeting Cheesehead at the Festival of Homies in Nashville in May. We hope to recall our glory days of rooming together at the General Assembly. Whoa! Mebbe she picked out a GOOD SAFE HOTEL this time....

Thinking of you all,

St. Casserole

P.S. I think my linen trousers are a white/black thread blend where LS's are blue.

Spring is here! The azaleas are blooming along with the Bradford pear tree, gerber daisies and a few hibiscus plants.

I'm home. I miss LLS and LSiL along with those great sabbatical cats, Bea and Assumpta.

If you need me, call. I'll be doing catch-up laundry and re-arranging furniture. It's amazing how much time a gal has when she isn't writing a sermon.

St. C

In trying to explain the current issues of my denomination to LLS and LSiL, both of whom belong to the UCC, I've struggled to understand the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It's difficult for me to see the charm of their denominational stance in several areas.

The EPC doesn't view the ordination of women as an essential to the faith.

Gosh. How original. Let's move back to local option where if you want a clergy woman to answer her call to ordination in the ministry of the Word and Sacrament you may. If you don't, so what...

How do they baptize little girls in the EPC? How do they discern which ones to baptize? Does the session stare at the toothless baby girl and guess whether or not the infant will hear the call to preach?

If you don't want women preachers, don't baptize them and for their sake, don't raise them up in the church.

If the little baby grows up in the nurture of the church and hears lessons on obedience and faithfulness to God, what will she do if God calls her to preach?

I'm reformed and I see no impediment Biblically to the ordination of women.
Ordaining women as preachers and church officers is not "just another option" for congregations of believers.

You heard it here first,

St. C who takes her call very seriously as a gracious gift of God and as a demand on her soul.

*I'm still in NC with my people. I'll drive home tomorrow while you are preaching.

*I'm rested (still have a cold) and happy.

*I've enjoyed fabulous meals.

*My familar rich dreamscapes returned. I must be backed up with dreams because vivid dreams came back while here.

*LLS and I recalled the details of both grandmother's homes, room by room.

*Miss Fannie Lou Bingham and "Hattie Pots" references make me laugh.

*7 stuffies came to life here from two boiled wool jackets and an Irish sweater given to the "cause" from LLS. The Irish sweater"s provenance delights me because it was purchased in Ireland by a tiny 19 year old and was her first credit card purchase. These woolens jumped into my hands from the "give away"basket and after hot water/soap wash with heated drying became stuffie fabric.

*Books, books, books.

*Again, this loving home is the best place for rest, fun and reflection.

Love,
St. Casserole

For Today

Go forward in faith, not fear.

St. C

Having a great time. Wish you were here...

I'm relaxed, in a different visual context, rested and well fed.

Why did I get a cold?

I'm snooty and can't get the temperature to be warmer then colder.

Guess I'll spend the day in the den on the sofa with Assumpta, the traveling tuxedo kitty.
We'll finish Songs of the Gorilla Nation then work on the black boiled wool felted cat stuffie.

In an earlier post, I suggested that you get my comments up. I meant, get my visits up so I can pass 50K on my site meter. I'm doing my part to up my stats to a new round number.

I'm watching a TBS Bette Davis marathon.

What's up with you?

Devotedly,

St. Casserole

Hey! I don't get many comments per post if I blog entry more than once each day.

Hep (as we say in the South) me out by shooting my blog stats to 50K.

It can be done.....

In other news:

Since I am doing nothing, I stay up late watching TV in the guest room/best clergywoman sabbatical suite. I saw a very odd woman with long curly hair preaching. She's thin with almost to the waist thin looking hair, pulled back from her face. She may be wearing a mullet, but couldn't tell. She wears a clerical tab collar, too large for her neck along with a long man's suit.
Very odd. She waved a Bible around as she spoke then took reading glasses on and off many times. It took me a bit to catch what she was saying because her outfit is so very odd. Manly but with untended long hair. Not only did she Bible wave, she waved her glasses around while flipping her hair. I doubt she took homiletics because someone would have pointed out these distractions to her.

I have no idea what she was saying but looked up her husband's website. She took over the television/church ministry when he died in '05. What's with this?

Shall I take over Mr.C's law practice if he joins the Church Invisible before I do?

I don't understand the tradition of inheriting churches although I know people do this. We mainline denomination people are suspicious of personality cult type relationships and do not pass congregations on to family members.

Her name is Pastor Scott if you want to check her out. I couldn't find a full length picture of her on the website so you may have to watch her show.

Women pastors aren't Jr. Men Pastors. Dressing like a man doesn't confer authority on us. God gives us the authority.

Otherwise, I'd dress like Attila the Hun for Presbytery.

St.

A Few Things...

*being with my NC family is great!

*watching Spring without the heat.

*listening to great conversations

*Seeing clergywomen: Jill, Carol, Little S., Listing Straight, Susan, Sarah- oh, the riches!

*eating mango cayanne ice cream along with ginger ice cream at JuJuBe in Glen Lennox

*eating Eastern NC barbeque (vinegar based sauce) in Burlington

*scones from A Southern Season

*good, good thrift stores with the time to see everything

*Assumpta the Cat, now a grown-up lady kitty, snuggling with me

*books! books! books!

*shopping with Listing Straight (hey girl! wore my new outfit last night!)

*trees, glorious trees, all around

*watching Jon Stewart twice a day (we don't have Comedy Central in Backwater)

*eating LLS's cooking

*watching LSiL win a tennis match


St. Casserole

This sabbatical thing is good. I am having a very good time.

I met Listing Straight uppada market for coffee and cinnamon roll this morning.
This was my first meeting with her, so I almost passed out from holding in my stomach while trying to look dignified and dour.

We talked and laughed. I forgot to hold in my stomach. She expressed sadness that I wasn't wearing mom jeans but thought my red shoes were o.k. We talked about all of you and wished we were all together for a weekend rgbp party.

Then we went shopping. I didn't find much but Listing did very well with great things for now and Spring. I'll put up our picture when I a.) learn how to load my LLS's laptop or, b.) get home and use that cable thingie for my camera.

She's fun and I'm glad to add her to my "met in person list" and to my "must-see in N.C." list.

St. Casserole

Today I saw three deer run across the road while coming home from LSiL's office.

Today I slept until 8 am.

Today I took a nap.

Today I listened to Mr. C. complain about being a Reagan National waiting for a flight home.
You can't get anywhere from where we live.

Today I worked on an odd stuffie out of green fair lisle felted wool.

Today I pulled weeds around the patio without being bitten by fire ants, seeing dollar grass or having gnats bother me. Is this heaven or what? Beautiful day.

Today I thought about all of you who prepare sermons and worship. I'll be in a pew tomorrow praying for you. Be bold! Be clear! Love them!

St.Casserole, on sabbatical

Oh, yeah. This sabbatical business is real tough. I'm getting into it now by staring out windows, eating good food and talking with my sistahs. I have time.

I have time to go to the thrift stores around heah.

Today, at Club Nova thrift store, I found a 1974 copy of the Newfoundland & Labrador
Women's Institute cookbook.

Here, for your approval, is a great recipe from the ladies:

Baked Flippers with Vegetables

2 flippers
3 slices of salt fat pork
2 onions
5 or 6 potatoes
1 turnip
1 parsnip

Remove all fat from flippers, wash and cut into serving pieces. Do not parboil.
Fry out salt pork; remove "scrunchions". Brown flippers in this fat. Then add water and simmer on the back of the stove until partly tender.
Add chopped onions and cut up vegetables except potatoes. Season and add one cup water. Cook another 30 minutes and add potatoes. Cook another 15 min, adding a little more water, if needed. Meanwhile, make this topping: 2 c. flour, 1/2tsp salt, 2 tsp. baking power, 1/2 c. shortening and enough water to make a stiff dough. Roll this pastry out to fit your bakepot when the flippers and vegetables are sufficiently cooked, top with the pastry and bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned nicely.

St. Casserole

Lovely drive up from disaster zone to quiet skies and Land of Many Trees! I'm stationed in the blue room at LLS and LSiL's home. Assumpta and Dibley are grown up kitties who love living with their Cud'n Bea.

When you go on your sabbatical, you should come here.

I'm doing fine and happy. Hope you are the same.

St. C.

Thought for the Day

"Compassion is the energy of the Kingdom" ---Wendy Miller at the Gray Center 7-12-05

P.S. Travel prayers for me today, please. I begin my pilgrimage to LLS's and LSiL's home uppda road.

P.S.S. note to self: wash my clothing first instead of catching up with laundry for family so I don't have to wait to leave while clothes dry.

Yours,

St. C

Sabbatical Sermon #1

Mr. C said, "Isn't it time for you to take your shower to get ready for church?"

Then we started laughing. I'm on sabbatical, without responsiblities to lead worship today.

I may arrive at church three minutes before the service begins, grab a bulletin and a pew without care except to pray, sing and think with the Body of Christ.

I'm thinking about the Body of Christ these days.

My geographic cluster of churches within my mainline denomination doesn't respect the B of C anymore.

They've found a better way by rebelling against the authority which ordained them. They took ordination vows to be received into our "group" but no longer believe that vows matter.

In an odd way, these preachers are dating even though they are married. Married people don't date.

This dissonance between the rebellious and their "righteousness" bothers me.

I know about rebellion against authority. Not only did my generation (and the kids older than I) question authority but we rebelled if anyone told us what to do.

I have problems with authority. I've pushed limits all of my life. I question authority everyday.

But, I've learned that there is freedom within boundaries like kids who play in a fenced school yard use the entire play yard while those without fenced play yards clump together.

In better words, the boundaries give us freedom to move and be while no boundaries confine us.

Same way with our understanding of the B of C, especially our ordination vows, give us freedom within the confines of shared committment and so on.

I made my vows and I'm sticking to them. Not because I am such a great believer, hardly so, but because I need the spiritual discipline of the boundaries to serve God.

I don't understand the mind of God. I don't know how to separate myself from the vagaries of life in the dawn of the 21st century. I don't know how to call good "good" or evil "evil" with complete truth.

I depend on the Bible, my knowledge of church history and the constitution of my denomination
to help me lead my people, live my life and attempt to honor God with my life.

I will not set myself higher than those things so I can run away and invent my own church to suit my feelings.

Just won't,

St. Casserole, writing a "sermon" even when she doesn't need to because she is on sabbatical

Praying for the tornado damaged area east of here in Enterprise, Alabama.
Five high school students were killed yesterday when the school building fell during a tornado.
More deaths in other parts of Alabama.

Lord, Lord!

Are we having more violent weather incidents or am I storm-sensitive?

St. C., thinking of the parents of the students and the community there.

Here I am.

Sorry to be blog-quiet.

Three times a year church gathering disappoints me. We decide to do whatever we wish because we don't feel that anyone can tell us what to do. We are the ones with Truth, not you. Forget the Body of Christ, forget history, our decisions now are the only ones that matter.

Makes me want to run away but I can't.

In other news, I am on sabbatical. So far, I tidying up loose ends. This morning I'm meeting with the kind young preacher who'll take over my duties while I'm gone. I'm getting my car serviced for the happy drive to see LLS and LSiL, too.

Here's a shout-out to Charles Keating, the wonderful voiced reader of P.D. James' THE MURDER ROOM on audio. The combination of James' writing with his voice sends me into fits of happiness. I pull of the road to write down bits of her prose. He is my favorite voice for audio books. She is my favorite murder mystery writer.

Yours,

St. Casserole

S.A.B.B.A.T.I.C.A.L

I am on a sabbatical from my congregation. Amazing isn't it? The presbytery offered several of us "disaster zone" preachers up to eight weeks of time away. We may use the time as we wish with an educational or retreat experience somewhere in the mix.

I woke up this morning thrilled to be free of sermon writing for four Sundays. The rest of my sabbatical will come later this year. We all felt that we couldn't leave our people for two full months so we are splitting the time up.

I am to rest and do things differently. I'll travel a bit, get out my retablo making things, clean the gutters (I like this!), make stuffies and cook complicated meals. I have time!

When first approached about taking a sabbatical, I thought how rare this experience will be! Preachers in small churches don't get time away unless they are very ill or caring for an ill family member.

I have time to read, look, think, visit with friends, count clover and nap.

See the kitty? I'm that kitty.

St. Casserole

Today

Today is many things which may be complex. Tomorrow is big scheduled church meeting.

When you pray, would you pray for me that I might see my brothers and sisters as Christ's own, be reminded of our Hope and see the way through many broken areas?

Your friend,

St. Casserole

Oh my goodness! Has it been five days since my last posting?

I'm finished with Mardi Gras, in the midst of electrical and landscaping work, planning a sabbatical and now sitting in Lent.

Hey, would someone hold my purse? I'll be right back.

St. C.

RevGal Friday Five

From reverendmother, this week's Friday Five:

I am downtown on retreat this week. Most of the retreatants are from out of town, so I get to experience this place through the eyes of visitors. So in the spirit of tourism:

1. What is one place you make sure to take out-of-town guests when they visit? (you can be vague to preserve your anonymity if you like)

The Disaster Tour. This means driving on the beach road to show how horrific hurricane damage as far as the eye can see in both directions. My commentary goes like this:
"this is where we went to a "Toast to the Coast" in a big beautiful home and grounds. Gone. This is where I taught for two semesters. Gone. This is where my friend's home was. Gone. This is where the tennis courts were. Gone. This is where the media huddled after the storm. You can see why they chose such a devastated site. This is where they found our sailboat. Amazing that it went so far, isn't it?"
From October '05 to March '06, I got so emotionally sick giving this tour that I HATED every minute. The only time I got through it during that period without freaking out was when Songbird and I did it. She was so sympathetic, in the healing way, that I felt better afterwards.

2. When visiting another city or town, do you try to cram as much in as possible, or take it slow and easy?

If we are exhausted, we go slow. If we are rested, we go wild. If it's NYC, I go full speed, regardless.

3. When traveling, where are we most likely to find you: strolling through a museum, checking out the local shopping, or _________________?
Traveling with Mr. C. means art galleries, design stores and coffee shops. Travels with P. in NYC means we eat and shop. If I'm alone, I ferret out the thrift stores, charity shops and flea markets. Not many people enjoy digging through junk the way I do.

4. Do you like organized tours and/or carefully planned itineraries, or would you rather strike out and just see what happens?
If I want to see a general area, tours are good, at times. Otherwise, I just strike out. Getting lost is part of the pleasure.

5. After an extended trip, what do you find yourself craving most about home?
Seeing family and sleeping in my own bed. My home shower is better than any shower any where else.

You've heard about the salmonella scare with Peter Pan Peanut Butter?

We have a jar, with the correct numbers, in our pantry. Half-eaten.

LD disposed of it.

Yuk.

Coulda Been Sick,

St. Casserole

If you and your church or group plan mission trips, consider coming to help us in the Katrina Zone.

We've made progress with getting some people back into their homes but many are stuck in FEMA trailer waiting for govt. or insurance grants.

People with more money live in the few apartments or rental homes which survived.

The roads are clear but debris remains.

People have tapped out their resources. The insurance companies balk. The govt. grants are slow, even after all this time.

We need so much more help. Volunteers keep coming but we need more.

I guess people think we are back to normal now.

Not. So.

Yours,

St. Casserole

He's there and happy!

Heard from LS who says he's having a GREAT time!

Relieved!

St. C.

no word from LS yet.

delivered him to the airport on time.

sure he is ok, asleep probably.

wish we'd hear from him.

Doing great,

St. Casserole

Today I will do my best to keep focused.

I will not seep tears or stand around feeling anxious.

I will be brave.

I will focus on the tasks before me.

I am the parent of a college student. He will fly to Paris tomorrow. He will live in France for a semester. He will be thousands of miles away from his Mama.

I will not be able to grab him from danger, fix things for him or see his handsome face.

I will be brave. I will trust God to take care of him. I will be brave.

Stalwartly,

St. Casserole

Count Down to Valentine's Day

Mr. C. can hardly practice law these days because he's working on my Valentine's Day Extravaganza.

I'm ready for the Big Day for him and LD. LS will be out of the country so he's out of luck.

There's more to Valentine's Day than sweetie-pie-honey-bunch gooey lovey stuff with your Sweetie.

Valentine's Day is a great time to tell people that you appreciate them.

Today's Valentine's Warm-Up is: write notes to a few people who are on the edge of your daily radar but who make your world brighter. A former teacher would love to hear from you. That church member whose clear lovely voice you hear above congregational singing needs recognition. The vet who helped Fido through the infection, the neighbor who has a beautiful yard, the friend who lives far away but stays close in your thoughts, the cleaning staff at the children's school: all these would love to hear from you. Your note doesn't have to be a treatise on love. Write simply about what they do that you like. Take note of their contribution to your life.

Email and cell phones aren't the only way to communicate. Get out that stationery and write a few lines.

Yo Mama,

St. Casserole

Un-informed Sports Commentary

• Why in 2007 would you play a Big Game outside? It's raining, for gosh sakes!
• What's it like for the people in the stadium who paid $600 + for tickets to sit outside getting drenched?
• Is it getting on everyone's nerves to hear Peyton Manning discussed every four seconds?
• What about the other players? What are they, chopped liver?
• If Peyton's dad expressed even a teensy weensy interest in being Governor of Mississippi, he'd be elected in a heartbeat. Just sayin'...
• No Super Bowl snacks in our house. I'm missing the semi-obligatory Velveeta Melt with Canned Chili with Fritos Scoops!
• Love the Coke commercial.
• How'd they chose Prince for the Halftime Show? What's with that?

St. Casserole, not your regular NFL sportscaster

this is bothering me

as a junker, I come across good stuff to make into something else.

can you help me think of a new use for bedskirts? I find great fabrics made into bedskirts. how can these be repurposed? i don't sew 'cept for stuffies.

hep me out here

st casserole, temporarily free of caps and punc-s

Learn Something New Dept.

Furniture shopping with the young adult volunteers.

This is not a cocktail table. This is not a coffee table.

This is a BIBLE TABLE.

New concept!

St. C.

I shut down this week for two days. Didn't leave the house unless I needed to ferry LD to school and activities. Didn't think about what I could be doing. Just. Shut.Down.

My schedule allowed this because by God's good mercy no meetings glared out on the calendar.

Further, my family is busy and if I stay below the radar, I don't think they noticed except that my bathrobe got a bit musty.

Retreat at home.

Into the desert without leaving the winter tropics.

Quiet time with the kitties and Sister the Dog.

Gray winter weather for days gets to my interior. Stopping to live the quiet just helps.

Today is bright sunshine. Yippee!

Tomorrow is Souper Bowl, the Lord's Supper and our Annual Congregational Meeting. I'll be ready, happy and bright-eyed.

St. Casserole

Thank you, Molly Ivins, for making us laugh, understand and keep going.

Your life made a difference in mine.

How to Have a Gray Day

Get up. See that the day is gray, cold, wet and yukky.

Drink coffee. Tell cats how lucky they are to be indoor kitties.

Take LD to school.

Go to grocery store for breakfast. Eat grits while listening to old men tell tales at the next table.

Buy a roast, fresh vegetables (carrots, red potatoes, mushrooms, yellow onion).

Drive home. Make a fresh fruit smoothie to take to LH at office because he is fighting a cold.

At office, sit in car and have lengthy loving conversation with MPRG on phone.

Take smoothie inside to LH. Talk bidness. Get fax numbers. Take home cool office lamp to repair.

Brown roast in hot pan. Put roast into crockpot with cup up potatoes, mushrooms, carrots and onion. Add one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing dry mix to crockpot. Turn on crockpot to high.

Walk around considering lectionary texts for Sunday. Decide that selection method of picking text is highly subjective. Remind self that self is preacher and may be subjective in picking text to fight with over the next three days.

Email newspaper ad about antique windows for sale.

Check email. Discover Tuesday Morning is having a big one on February 6.

Recall that one doesn't need a single thing offered at the big sale.

Stare out window. Play dangly string game with Fish the Cat.

Answer door.

Welcome favorite young adult volunteer to home. Make her tea. Get her wireless code.

Watch her set up her laptop in the exact chair Songbird used while visiting the Casseroles.

Talk to yav while she is trying to do work.

Smell roast cooking.

Drink a diet coke.

Put on warm hoodie while drinking cold drink.

Make dentist appointments for two children.

Review travel arrangements for LS.

Get textbooks from UPS guy. Open packages. Glance through LS's textbooks.

Recall glory days of being a college student. Look out window. Wish I could return to college and never make dental appointments again.

Chat with yav. Enjoy time with yav. Wish yav would stay for lunch.

Turn on more lamps. Put more dirty laundry in washer.

Consider unloading dishwasher but stare out window until impulse passes.

Recall lectionary texts. Wonder what crazed committee put these texts together for the first Sunday in February.

Eat lunch late. Take brief nappage. Go get LD from school. Deliver her to her activity. Return home.

Be happy that LH came home early today. Discuss gray day.

Wander around the house doing small things.

Hug Whistle the cat.

Chat with LH.

Go fix LH plate of roast and veggies.

Watch LH go fix second serving.

Hear him comment, "this is good. Don't put this in your it's-great-so-I-will-never-make-it-again

file". Laugh

Come blog about gray day.

St. C

Death Gets On My Nerves

One of my community neighbors died on Saturday. I read his obituary in today's paper. Rats!

I will miss him. We were at the vacuum cleaner repair shop the last time I saw him and began laughing about stuff. He had great sparkle and loved women (in the best way, not the creepy way).

It gets on my nerves that death means you can't call a person up, run into them at the grocery or see them at the Yacht Club.

Death comes and that's it. I hate it.

People who make my world more interesting or charming or happier, then die, make my world dimmer.

Why didn't I call them up to chat or go see them or make dinner plans with them? Why?

Because I thought I had time. I thought I'd see them again.

I forgot that all human relationships have an end.

Don't tell me that I can talk with them in my dreams or imagine a conversation with them.
I know this. But, Geez Louise!, this isn't the same.

Don't tell me that now is the time to tell people I love them.
I understand this but who can remember this all the time?

If anyone asks you how I am today, tell them, "The finality of death is getting on St. C's nerves."

St. Casserole

Saturday Morning

Going through today's mail, I flipped through the bills and credit card offers to glance down at the new Presbyterian Outlook magazine and thought,

"Why is Dick Cheney on the cover?"

Looking again, it's a photo of Joseph Small, Director of the Office of Theology, Worship and Education for the P.C. (U.S.A.).

Sorry.

I enjoy reading Joe Small's perspective. He's a good teacher, too.

St. Casserole, squinting

What I am reading

Thirst, Mary Oliver

Long Life, Mary Oliver

Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth,

Walter Brueggemann

Credo, William Sloane Coffin

Neither Here nor There, Bill Bryson

What's going on with you?

St. Casserole

Friday Five Renewal

In this week that looks unlikely to hold a complete day off, I am pondering renewal. List four ways you like to relax or give yourself a break. Then name a fifth, something you've never been able to do, a self-care dream.

1. Stare out the window.

2. Take a brief nap.

3. Play with cats.

4. Think about making stuff

5. fly like a bird

Thanks, Songbird!

St. Casserole, herself

I'm proud of our local animal shelter/spay and placement center here on the Coast.

Volunteers from all over come to help take care of abandoned or released animals. The South Mississippi Humane Society is a great place.

If you'd like to help Coast animals, please send a donation to them. The site has Paypal and snail mail address.

After you make a donation, email me and I'll mail one of my handmade, no skill involved wool stuffies. Some of the stuffies are cats, or owls or bats or space aliens. One is a cat model of St. Peregrine; another is a Cat St. Francis.
My stuffies are made of felted wool and stuffed with fiberfill/silk mixture. Some have buttons or beads.

I'm not sure what you are to do with these stuffies. Because some have buttons or beads, these won't be toys for little children or pets.

I understand that one of my stuffies is way up north displayed on a mantelpiece. Another is half way up the East Coast sitting on a guest room bed holding a TV remote.

Here are the important details.
Send your donation to the HSSM, not to me.
If you don't mind, please do not mention this blog or me. I'd rather not be mentioned.
After you make your donation, contact me at revlapin at the America online dot com with your address and I'll pick out a stuffie to mail to you.
International pals, because of the lingering postal issues here in the Disaster Zone, I will mail to the contiguous U.S. only. Sorry.

I think I've made 18 stuffies so this offer to receive one is first come, first served.

Thank you for helping our animals.

St. Casserole

After all these months, people in New Orleans don't know if they can return to their neighborhoods. The city is a mess.

Here on the Gulf Coast, debris remains untouched, FEMA trailers abound, families wrangle with insurance companies for help rebuilding and huge stretches of land remain empty.

The President didn't mention us in the State of the Union.

Old news, not fashionable, difficult and complex problem....We are off the radar.

Aghast,

St. C

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Milady the Right Reverend St. Casserole the Essential of Bampton Underhoop Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title Songbird did it. So here is my title. St. C.

Appareo Decet Nihil Munditia?

Oh, yeah!

My decorating skills are needed at the Young Adult Volunteer apartment! I'll be hauling out treasures from every corner later this week to spruce up the gal's new housing.

I am go-to for funky lamps, window treatments and decorative detritus!

So excited,

St. Casserole

We are talking FESTIVE here!

Ask St. Casserole

Zorra and Cathy ponder putting sterling flatware in the dishwasher.

I say "sure, go ahead".

With these reservations:
a.) no antique hollow handled knives or serving pieces, the "grout" used to hold the sterling handle to the piece loosens if put into the dishwasher or left soaking in water

b) is it a coin silver piece? if so, wash by hand to be safe

c) if you see damage to your silver after dishwasher use, stop and wash pieces by hand

d) some say that mixing aluminum and stainless with sterling in the dishwasher is what harms the flatware. I don't know about this. I separate the pieces from the few stainless pieces I use
just as I separate good prep knives to clean them on the top rack of the dishwasher.

e)I wouldn't put holloware pieces, like sterling serving trays in the dishwasher. Hot soapy water cleans well enough. The dishwasher might take out all the patina in the pattern. Ewww! Not good.

Use MAAS to clean your flatware. Grab a tube at Walgreens then find a soft lint-free cloth. Old clean t-shirts are great for cleaning sterling. Take the dingy pieces of sterling to where you watch tv and polish your silver. Multi-tasking so you can get shiny silver while filling your brain area with trashy television shows.

Use your sterling, ok? It's survived this long and when used makes even the humblest of foods taste special.

This I believe,

St. Casserole

How to Feed Your Family

It distresses me that our children are often away at mealtime. It's not much fun to cook for people who breeze into the house then leave right when I want to serve dinner. I pull out tablecloths, candles and the good silver (hey! wash that sterling flatware in the dishwasher, it's fine!) for evening meals so we can talk around the table.

Sometimes, when I cook dinner, people grab their plates and race to their rooms. I'm not fond of this practice. My cooking mojo suffers.

This afternoon, after I inventoried what I had in the freezer and pantry, I made a chicken pot pie in a lime green casserole dish. Everyone had two helpings! I didn't have to go to the grocery store.

Anyone else dislike grocery shopping?

Here's my recipe:

five boneless, skinless chicken breasts from the freezer
saute on low with several dollops of olive oil; sprinkle with cajun seasoning.
1 can of low fat turkey gravy thickened with two tablespoons of corn starch
1 can of green peas, drained
1 can of carrots, drained
Ready-made crust, unused from Christmas pies

Cook chicken thoroughly but not to the dry-and-stringy stage. When cooked, add turkey gravy with corn starch. Heat through then add drained vegetables. Stare at pan. Add more Cajun seasoning.

Unfurl ready-made pie crust and place in bottom and sides of casserole dish. Fill dish with chicken veggie mixture. Top with remaining circle of pie crust. Stare at casserole dish. Make decorative cuts in top crust to allow steam to escape and because cutting into top crust is very fun.

Place in pre-heated oven at 350. Cook for 20 minutes or until crust is browned slightly.
Holler at family to come to supper.

Served with fresh green salad and tropical fruit mixture from a jar with fresh apples and bananas cut up. Do not mix green salad with fruit mixture. Serve in separate dishes.

Suggest, after dinner, that children clear the dining room table and load the dishwasher.

Retire to blog about dinner in the study.

That's it!,

St. Casserole

How to Entertain Your Family

Wear this t-shirt to take LD to school.
I do own this one....

Surprising you, huh?,

St. C

As your full-service pastor, I design, type and print the worship bulletin each week. I use a template I created so the work is easy.

The difficulty is proof-reading. No matter how often I check for extra "amens" or faulty hymn numbers, at least one Big Goof shows up in my face Sunday mornings.

Today I had double "amens", and an extra word (or two, let's be honest here!) in the offertory prayer.

Little Church is gracious about my mistakes in print, in sermons and in person.

God bless them!

I've never served a church as loving as this congregation.

Sometimes I marvel at how long it took me to find a place to pray, think and do where I am received with loving, open hearts.

Thank you, God, for my stubborn spirit which gets me in trouble but sure helps me keep on when there isn't much of a way.

Just thinking about God's goodness to me,

St. Casserole

The Moral of this story is...

When Songbird and I bought our tiny purse size cameras, I announced with bravado that I would not be buying a service agreement.

Songbird, gentle as always, told me a very good story about how service agreements on small electronics are a good thing.

I bought the warranty for the tiny camera.

8 days after purchase, the camera went kerflooey.

Today, I have a new camera.

The moral of this story is: Always Listen to Songbird.

Learn from me,

St. Casserole

T T C of J

Dear Grace, Mindy and Rach,

Please bring the Texas Towncar of Justice. I know someone who needs a ride.

St. Casserole


(Note: when using Google Images, this is what a T T C of J looks like. For security purposes, the REAL T T C of J will not be shown.)

('Nother note: Can't follow this post? See post below, 'specially the comments)

(Last note: Thank you all for your kind words and offers of threatening behavior. You are the best.)

Shock and Awe

Gosh! In a meeting today, the exec pointed out that women and men approach things differently.

I was suggesting, strongly, to a person of important work, that he came across as ungracious and disrespectful of those who worked for him. I'm on the Commission overseeing his work. Then the exec interrupted me to explain that my perspective was the feminine approach.

What a helpful comment from the exec...

I was the only woman in the room. I am the only woman on the Commission.

I am aware I am a woman.

I assumed we were all clear on our gender placements.

Don't mess with me,

St. Casserole

Ginger Cats in T-r-o-u-b-l-e

Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui.

Announcement

I like having friends from everywhere.

I ate lunch with Little S. at the very same place I had lunch with will smama then Songbird, The Mockingbird Cafe.

My life is better because of all of you.

St. C.

Appliance Update

For those of you who worry about my double oven, you may relax now. Mr. D (official Appliance Repair Guy of the Casserole Household) dropped by to determine the depth of disrepair of de ovens and discovered a possible doubtful computer display.

No repairs are needed at this time.

"You might want to clean that oven", he said, "It only costs about .40 in electricity."

I did.

Top oven now clean and ready for the next Festival of Meatloaf.
The late December Festival was marred by the oven locking new potatoes with garlic and sea salt so we couldn't get the 'taters out.

Mr. D. said he didn't know why this happened.

He is a wealth of information.

Yours,

St. Casserole

Spoiler: Political Talk, sorta, Ahead

I'm sure I have a limited view of current events. We live in Republican land with all the glib radio talk show aphorisms. Seldom do I hear any thoughtful commentary on politics outside of my conversations with Mr. C.

I'm fascinated by what I see as a pattern in how the media handles politics. There appears to be a honeymoon period for media when they don't say what they see and hear from politicians. Then, a tipping point occurs and more direct information about the politician comes out.

For years, during this current administration, I've wondered how these bright Up East reporters tolerated a President who has trouble speaking in complete sentences and whose policies seem to be fed to him on cue cards.

The dissonance between the office of the President and his words or actions concerns me. I can control how much I hear his voice or read his statements. Reporters are forced to be present, take notes and then reflect on what the President says.

Further, why aren't people screaming about the appointment of his Dad's old pals to positions of authority. Can't we let these old guy's rest? Aren't most of them suspicious from their earlier work for Big Dad?

I think about these things.

Scratching My Head,

St. Casserole

I drove 90 minutes north for a 15 minute meeting, then drove home today.

I thought about my sermon for Sunday.

I did three loads of laundry.

I swept the kitchen floor.

I unloaded the dishwasher then re-loaded all over again.

I read my mail.

I cleaned up my desk.

I don't have anything else to say.

St. Casserole

Happy New Year! Beautiful clear day here. Songbird in the kitchen. LS asleep. Cats pulling felt fish through the house! Mr.C away on an errand of mercy to retrieve LD from Church Camp. Sister dog taking a morning nap.

Three cheers for Mr. Augustus Harvey who knows how to cap a natural gas leak at 2 am. on New Years Day!

Happy to be here,

St. Casserole

Lunch with Songbird

Songbird's Lunch at the Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis. She chose the "Radley", a delicious roast beef /red onion/horseradish mayonaise/lettuce sandwich with thick potato chips.

Having a GREAT time,

St. C.

Our friend M.L. did well in surgery this morning. She'll stay at Old Hospital for a day or two for antibiotic drips. I am happy dancing with joy that she's ok.

Songbird is in my kitchen right this minute!

I have a new camera!

Songbird is preaching at Little Church Sunday! I guess I won't be visiting the Last Minute Preacher Site except to grin.

Blue skies here!

Computers working again!

!!!,

St. C.

Dog Cookies! Ear Scratches! Aunt Songbird!

Aunt Songbird is here!
The humans say we have router troubles with the computer. Who cares?
Songbird is here!

Sister, the Dog
Nanny to Whistle and Fish
Just like Ophrah has Nannies for Her Pets
The Very Same Thing.

Oh! Just try to guess who is coming to see us tomorrow? We are excited! Yipppeeee!

St. Casserole