The View From the Pew #6 Easter

Aunt Bostick here.

I've got my feet up. Easter Service went just fine. The preacher hollared until his face got red. The Chancel Choir did three special pieces and held in there until Old Dr. Hammer got wheezing. Even then, the sopranos did well except for Lolly Parks who got a hot flash under her choir robe and looked like someone sprayed a hose on her.
By the time we got to the Five Fold Amen, I was ready to go home.

The family came for lunch. I'd gotten the ham out of the oven and put the Splenda into the iced tea when they all drove up in the driveway. The girls helped me put the asparagus, tomato aspic and potato salad on the table. We had Harris-Teeter ice cream for dessert. My coconut from scratch cake days are over until I get this tennis elbow under control.

This is my last post in the "View from the Pew" for my niece. I'm worn out and ready to just watch my soaps while I knit for awhile. I've got a Reader's Digest to get through and I need to finish hemming the downstairs bathroom curtains. Enough is enough.

As St. Casserole said to me this afternoon, "Christ is Risen and the Boat is about to Dock". I know you understand what that means.

Glad to be with you girls.

Aunt Bostick

The View From the Pew Holy Week 5

Aunt Bostick here.

I've been in church so much this week that my purse is filled with bulletins.

I went by Parson's Nursery this morning to get bedding plants. We plant or buy plants on Good Friday down here. I'll put them out in the side yard tomorrow if the weather is clear.

Tonight, I'm just worn out. I'm thinking about all you gals who've churched yourselves into a stupor this week. Chin up! Sunday is coming!

Aunt Bostick

The View From the Pew Holy Week 4

Aunt Bostick here. I'm not posting my picture today. I feel every single year this morning and I need a perm.

This picture of the Old Rommny Church in the UK will do. I'm thinking about water today.

The mid-West flooding and the up East heavy rains are just perfect for Holy Week. I'm sorry for those people. Too much water ruins and kills. Too little ruins and kills. You can't cry all the time although I've tried this week.
I cried the other day most of the day. We had a good rain here even if it doesn't make up for all the dry days we've had for the past six months. Cleaned off all the plants then set them growing lickety-split.

Holy Week gets me thinking of grief. Grief makes me cry. I'm just a hanky clutching mess until Sunday. You preachers think we'll miss the boat without all the Holy Week going into Easter things but those of us who know the Story don't. Going from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is for newcomers. The rest of us understand.

They turned my dang water off at the house. I sent my bill in by electronic computer days ago but it takes ten days or so for the Bank to send a check to the Water Department then the Water Department eats bon bons for a few more days before posting my check. Came home from pruning roses in the Church memorial garden to find a bright yellow tag on my front door. Couldn't flush. Couldn't wash my breakfast dishes left in the sink.

Water, tears, floods, rain, Baptism. Holy Week. Foot Washing. Salted water for the parsley at the Seder Meal.

I nicked my finger pruning roses. Blood ran out, not water but I'm made of water.
I've got a pitcher of filtered water in the refrigerator. I drink it all day after I've had my coffee.

We are all together in this even if we don't know we are.

Time for "The View". Those ladies crack me up.

Aunt Bostick

P.S. The Iraq War is 5 years old today. I can't celebrate.

The View From the Pew Holy Week 3

Aunt Bostick here.
I was a bit teary yesterday. The tears started yesterday morning when I took my coffee to the back porch. I sat down to watch the birds and think about the day. I was fine until I started thinking about Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha. Thinking about that boy carrying a heavy cross through a crowd who hated him made me cry. You just know that his mother and family were devastated.

This made me think about betrayal. Jesus loved people enough to tell them the truth about life and God and then then he was murdered.

If you live long enough, you know what it feels like to be betrayed. Hurts like the devil! Crying out for justice or fairness won't work in these situations. You get hurt no matter what you do.

I heard about how Sen. Obama talked about his preacher on the news yesterday. The think that amazed me was how Sen. Obama was not going to betray his pastor by throwing him aside. The issue of Pastor Wright's comments while preaching wasn't an either/or situation for the Senator. He stood with his pastor while saying he didn't agree with his pastor's comments, even if he understood why a Preacher would say things in righteous anger.

Sen. Obama could have betrayed his pastor, even though his pastor baptized his children and celebrated his marriage. I can't recall the last time I witnessed a public figure act as well as Sen. Obama.

I got a bit teary over how it must have felt to be Pastor Wright and Sen. Obama as they looked for a way to honor each other despite disagreements.

Writing about this makes me need another hanky.

Aunt Bostick

The View From the Pew Holy Week 2

Aunt Bostick here.
While I was talking with Myrtis about Wednesday Night Bible Study, I told her about being your guest blogger. I phone all the ladies on Monday night to remind them that we have Bible Study on Wednesdays in the Church Parlor. Our Church organized in 1912 and except when we had the black-out nights during WW2, we've met on the same night in the same place at the same time. Still, as Hospitality Chairwoman, I don't want the ladies to forget. Besides, since Ethel Blanchard got the high sugar, I have to remind everyone to bring a sugar free dessert every now and then.

Anyway, Myrtis and I discussed Holy Week. She said that when Rev. Christian did that foot washing on Maundy Thursday several years ago, all she could think about was how she needed her toenails cut and didn't want anyone to see her feet. She said that she wished that one year the Church would send somebody out to the older people's homes and nursing homes and cut their toenails. "I don't need for someone to wash my feet. I understand the Servant symbolism of re-inacting Jesus washing feet. What I really need is someone to cut my toenails!" She's right. You young people do not know what it is like to not be able to cut your own toenails.

I'm glad we are in modern times where I can write about toenails. No one should be ashamed of what they can't do anymore.

Think about it.

Aunt Bostick

The View From the Pew Holy Week

Aunt Bostick here, St. C. offered posting responsibilities to me for Holy Week.

I'm going to tell you straight out what it is like to be an older Believer sitting in the pew as you young people pastor us. When I fall short of ideas, I'll phone Beulah Lynch and get her opinion, too.

First off, about Palm Sunday: I know children are wonderful and if we don't include them early in worship, we miss the opportunity to disciple them. I like hearing the children sing and participate in the Service. I do not care much for letting them talk during the Children's Worship Time because they get "cute" and distract from worship. However, this post isn't about the place of children in worship.

Please remember that most mainline type churches are filled with women like me; older, widowed, living alone or in assisted situations, often far from our families.
We'd like attention, too. You may be young but you won't (God willing) be always. We can teach you a thing or two if you'd slow down and pay attention to us.

First off, Holy Week speaks our language. We know what it is like to live with impending death. We are closer to leaving this life behind than young people. We think about it all the time. When Beulah's Buick engine blew, it took every single one of her friends to convince her she had the time to get a new car and time to enjoy it. She just wasn't sure it made sense to get another car if she was going to join the Church Triumphant in the next ten years. She's in her 80's with 20/20 vision and the strength of a 40 year old woman from bossing the Ladies Drum Corp. all these years. Who do you think loads the drum cases into the Church Van? Those things are heavy.

Second, we know what it is like to face an ambiguous future as Jesus did. We've been there and done that and it's about time Cafe Press printed a tee-shirt for us.

Third, don't you young people understand that although we've heard the story of Holy Week many, many times, that we hunger for the hope Jesus Christ offers us in our time of life?

Push the eggs n' bunnies out of the way this Holy Week and love us, your older people.

Aunt Bostick

Lovely service at Little Church today. Plenty of palms to wave, happy children in worship, blue skies and an ordination and installation! God blessed us with two new Elders. I love Little Church.

Did I tell you one of my parishioners named a baby lamb for me?

Blessings to you this Holy Week,

St. Casserole

My dear Niece,

You have not posted in four days. I know you well enough to realize that you are thinking about the BE Cruise all the time. Dear, tomorrow is Palm Sunday. Next week is Holy Week. Dear, please pay attention. Focus your thoughts on Cross and Holy Week. If I could see you right now, I know you are staring at your toes trying to decide what color polish to get for your Cruise Pedicure.

I understand that you are worried about getting a small, non-liquid gift type thing for all twenty of your gal's swag bags. You've seen what Cheesehead is giving as her swag and now you feeling competitive and crabby. Please. Bring an inexpensive swag gift for each conferee is optional. Then, no one wants anyone to spend a bunch of money on the swag. Really, you should just calm down. The cruise is about self-help and with Holy Week and Easter, you gals don't have the time to be worrying about gifts for everyone. I believe Cheesehead said this to you earlier. What about a simple paper bookmark with your blog name on it? What about a bag of hard candies, a small bag? What about a bulletin from your church?

You are worrying what to take in your luggage. Remember that you will want to be comfortable. I believe your cruise director, George, said that no one dresses up anymore and for the "fancy" night dinner if you just wear clothing rather than your tiger striped bathing suit from the thrift store, you will be fine. People will either like you or not and your clothing won't make a difference. Besides, don't people like you usually?

You are worrying about people complaining if things don't go well on the cruise or if some of the planning had rough spots. Dear, have your revgals ever planned one of these before? Thought not. Help everyone to go with the flow and put on their big girl clericals or church suits and just have fun.

Really! You young people wear yourselves out with worry and competitiveness. Chill, as we used to say.

What are you to focus upon? Jesus and him crucified! Keep your heart and mind there.

Love,

Aunt Bostick

Martha-Lee and I will be on the road for three hours this morning traveling to the funeral of a great Churchman and friend. Our friend served us well here after the Storm and we will miss his wise counsel.

What better memory to leave behind than years of faithful devotion to God through the family of faith in the Church? He was wise, visionary and kind. His death ends a 50 year marriage to a creative woman who moved down here from Maine. In addition to his service to the Church, he was a birder, gardener, and friend to many.

We'll drive to the North East portion of the State, thank God for his life then rush home to mark our Primary ballots.

You could call us before 11 a.m. CDT or in the afternoon. Just saying.

St. Casserole

Gadzooks! The Presbyterian Outlook ditched the hideous black and white covers for color!

Ben Spark's article about the 1983 Reunion of the Church and Montreat is excellent.

Didn't finish reading the magazine. The phone rang. The dog barked. People came to the door.


St. Casserole

I have Lent in my heart but Easter! on our mantlepiece.

St. C.

2008 Books Read

Elizabeth George, A Great Deliverance Inspector Lynley Mystery

Matthew Pearl, The Dante Club Very Clever

Susan Isaacs, Any Place I Hang My Hat Delightful Main Character

Caroline Alexander, The Bounty the True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty Fascinating, well written

St. Casserole, what are you doing RIGHT now?

I am hosting a Cat Nip Party in my study to keep the kitties out of the kitchen. Mr. C. is making gumbo. He wants to cook alone.

Things I've Seen Today

Magnolia sapling for $89.00. Just bring a shovel and get one from our yard instead.

Many Amish men building a porch on a restored hurricane home.

Dubby the Kitten trying to get Andy the Alpha Cat to play with him.

Swarming fire ants upset because I stuck a stick in their mound many many times.

Tiny little birds at my kitchen window feeder.


Wish I could see you,

St. Casserole

Woo! Woo! LLS visits this week! Cannot wait to see her!
I wish LSiL could come see us, too!

St. Casserole

Happy Friday!

Ginger, one of my favorite Southern Bloggers, has this
recipe for you.

Please, make it and tell me how it tastes.

Donuts, oh donuts! you are my downfall.

St. Casserole

The Mayor of Contiguous City declared this week that seven more years are needed to recover from Katrina. The first two years were clean-up the debris years. The third and fourth years are re-build the infrastructure and the next six would be building housing and businesses.



Imagine what it is like to be a pastor down here.




The debris may be cleaned up in most places but not all. People's spirits and sense of themselves are fractured still. Admits to the psych hospital, behavioral programs and, even the medical hospitals are up. What is inside comes out.




You may be exhausted with my story of life here. I imagine I seem to be mewing endlessly.



My work is nurturing pastors and caregivers around me. This is what I do until I can't face people myself.



St. Casserole, counting the days until the BE

Books Read 2008

Excellent Women, Barbara Pym Enjoyed this book.

Many, many thanks to those of you who sent donations for Little Church. I'm in the dark about who you are unless you've told me. I do know that your response is generous.

We are ready to start with repairs. We don't have all the money we need but we are beginning.

Thank you!

Love,

St. Casserole

Ask the Captain

Dear Captain,
What should I know about going on a cruise?
---Confused

Dear Confused,



The most difficult part of a cruise is getting on the ship and off the ship. You wait in line for a good while to have your identification papers approved and enter the ship. Once there, you go to your cabin. The staff brings your luggage to your cabin. There is an emergency drill time where you put on a smelly life jacket (from your cabin), go to your assigned area, learn how to wear the jacket and what to do if the ship has a problem. This drill frightens some but just live through it. After it is over, you take your jacket back to your cabin and resume having fun.




Getting off the ship takes time, too. You are told what time to have your luggage packed and outside of your cabin on the departure date. You sit around doing nothing until your number is called, then you stand in line declaring purchases and sins for customs to re-enter the States.




Your travel agent will have luggage tags for you to place on your luggage for admittance to the ship.




Here's an important tip: your cruise costs are paid before you board the ship. Except!!!! Any alcoholic drinks, sodas*, gee-haws from the onboard shops and tips for staff are not included. Your cruise card (given when you go through processing) is used to pay for alcoholic drinks, salon visits, gift shop purchases). You don't carry money or credit cards.




Drink purchases include a tip for the server.




Coffee, tea (iced and hot) and powdered fruit drink stuff is available for no charge. You PAY FOR DIET COKES.




Some cruises include the staff tips in the cruise price. Other cruises expect you to pay a per diem tip for your cabin steward, wait staff and, for some reason, the Dining Hall King. If you don't have cash, you can charge these tips.




The Captain, no picture this time, you girls got too delighted with the last post + picture!

*soda is yankee for "soft drinks"

Ask the Captain

Dear Captain,

I've never been on a cruise before. Does the ship move much? Will I get seasick?

---Rev. Daunted

Dear D.,

Cruise ships are quite large. You may feel some motion but the anti-roll thingies keep the ship steady. People wear those dots behind their ears if they feel as if they will get sick. Bring some with you because trips to the ship's doctor cost extra.
The best thing to do is to get on the ship and have 1 drink, not 47 tiny-umbrella-fruit-juice-I'm-on-a-Cruise!!!! drinks. It's fun to watch people climb up the plank and race to the restaurant to eat as though they've never eaten before, then hit the bars and drink until they are stupid. I think those people get queasy.
I get a tad peaked when I go sailing with St. Casserole and she is at the rudder. She is a faulty sailor, at best. I think you'll do fine on the big cruise ship.

Captain

Dear Aunt Bostick,

I'm going to the RGBP BE next month. Any advice? Missing you, St.Casserole

Dear St. Casserole,

It's wonderful to hear from you. Just yesterday, I was telling Beulah Lynch the story about how you wore your vestments inside out and we laughed our heads off. Really, dear, your escapades keep us in stitches. I must remember to tell her about the time you fell out of your shoes while preaching! Keep her in your prayers; she's got competition this year for the Presidency of the Baptist Drum and Hymn Sing Association. I'm concerned her hives will act up because the stress .

I've got several things to pass on about the BE. First, get the idea of the "Love Boat" out of your head. No one dresses up for cruises anymore unless they are crossing the Atlantic. You can wear sleep pants, bedroom slippers and that ratty T-shirt and no one will care. I'm not sure people will notice. On the big dining nights, if your BE has one, be prepared to see people wearing everything from old bridesmaid dresses to bathing suit cover-ups in the dining room.

In my day, we dressed to ride airplanes. Now people look like they are on their way to the kitchen when they fly. Don't worry about your clothing. Cheesehead will be dressed better than you anyway.

Several of the RGBP gals will be exhausted from travel before they get on the ship. Help them get some rest so they can enjoy the speaker and meetings. I want all of you gals to relax, let down your hair and just be happy.

I know you talked Cheesehead into letting you room with her. Do I need to remind you to leave her things alone? Her make-up is her make-up, not yours. Try not to talk as much as you have the past few visits with her. She may want to have a thought or two without you yapping at her. Let her visit with her other friends, this isn't junior high school where you tried to pal around every second with Diane Gunn and drove her crazy. Let Cheesehead be Cheesehead without you hovering around like a crazed fly.

I hear that the speaker is going to be fabulous. Take notes so you can tell me what she says. Be sure to thank her for coming to the RGBPs because not everyone wants to be with a jiving group of clergywomen. Very few, in fact.

I hope everyone has a great time. I do not want to read about any of you in the newspaper. Try to let the other passengers get enough sleep.

Lovingly,

Aunt Bostic

The proper homiletical accountrement for sermon writing:



in Winter, the pink bathrobe with coffee stains and big pockets. In Spring and Summer, the beltless blue seersucker thrift store robe



highlighters and theUniball gold pen with teeth marks



quiet, no phone calls



cats, only if sleeping and off papers



coffee, iced tea or diet coke unless one is drinking water during Lent



do not brush your hair*



Bibles, exegetical research materials, books of poetry, P.J. James and a newspaper**



St. Casserole

*if you brush your hair, you may be tempted to run out of the house
**you-know-who suggested this

The Entire Issue of the Apple Fritter

With apologies to PPP who says I cannot tell a "short" story.


On my way in 72 degree weather to a called meeting of presby, I stopped at the bakery near the Walmart near the Wiggins. I rationalized that I eschewed sugar and fat-filled anything so well that I could risk this faraway bakery stop.


Wrong.


I ate an apple fritter filled with so much sugar and grease that I glided into the meeting sugar-contorted.



That's it. No more junk sugar stuff for me. Makes me tired. The issues before us at the meeting were troublesome. I'd begun praying for guidance on the issue days before but woke up yesterday morning realizing that no answer surfaced. Perhaps the fellowship would help me.



We met for two hours, not a long time for us, and left with a decision which made sense to me.



During the meeting, the sanctuary was pounded by rain. The drive home, now 57 degrees, was a
deluge. Mr. C. called to caution me to drive carefully. LD called to see if I was o.k.



My new phone was set so low I missed the important call.
LS went to the university clinic to get help.
He'd been unable to keep anything down and became dehydrated.
The clinic sent him to the emergency room where they gave him liquids and watched him.



I didn't know this until I got home. I didn't know that I need to go back to University town (where we met as a presby.) to see my boy.



Word came last night that he was doing better. Poor fellow! I recall becoming dehydrated in college and feeling dreadful. One of his frat buddies is a nurse at the hospital and agreed to check on LS.


I came home and went to bed at 7:30pm. Too tired and sugared out to stay awake.



All because of my bad judgement about an apple fritter.


St. Casserole, humbled

2 Years 5 Months 13 Days after Katrina

Here's what I've heard since Friday:

I've gained 25 lbs. since the Storm. I guess we were denied for so long that we keep "treating" ourselves. ---BSL resident

We've had another "Katrina Spike" at the hospital. ---hospital administrator

I went to the Coast. I can't go back, it's too sad. How can you live there? ---lawyer upstate

I can't cry. I can't eat. My stomach hurts. ---friend

I know I have PTSD. I just try to go on with it. ---friend

This is my life and the life of those around me for miles and miles. Everyday, we cope with the aftermath. The above comments aren't complaints. Just stating the facts.

St. Casserole

The Entire Issue of Procrastination

Last week, I got up early and walked to the kitchen to make coffee. It was dark outside.

After the coffee finished brewing, I poured a cup of dark roast Community coffee into my RevGalBlogPals mug and headed back to the study. For sermon prep.

After several minutes of distracted deep thoughts about Lent 1 A, I returned to the kitchen (mug in hand) for more coffee. On the way, I tripped over the hall runner near the bookcases. Sister runs through the house and, sometimes, the rug gets flipped over. I tripped on the runner and shot coffee on the floor. Or, so I thought.

I returned to my study. For sermon prep.

After another round of distracted deep thoughts on the task of preaching to the people, I got up for more coffee. As I walked past the bookcases, I looked down to check where I'd dripped coffee earlier. I saw coffee on the floor and sprayed on the bookcase.

Taking a damp cloth, I cleaned up the drips on the wood floor. I wiped up coffee fling spots off the bookcase and wall. Then I thought, "gee, wouldn't it be fun to color coordinate the books in this bookcase? Keeping books in order in this eclectic reading household is worthless anyway. Too many topics."

I reminded myself that I was working on my sermon. I thought deep thoughts.

The phone began to ring. I took call after call and while I yapped or was yapped at, I re-arranged the bookcase.

All this for sermon prep. I'm sure.

St. Casserole

Happy Mardi Gras!

We celebrate Mardi Gras big-time here. Kids are out of school Monday through Wednesday to go to parades, balls and stalk the streets.

The grocery stores are stripped of beer, cokes and King Cakes.

Three parades roll in Biloxi today. One or two in Gulfport, I think. Up and down the Coast people are catching throws at parades, drinking too much and eating as much party food as they can stand.

Some park and walk to the parade routes. Others put RVs on the route then spend the night holding their place. Most of 90 in Biloxi is cordoned off by the police to protect the route. Best seats to see the bands and floats are in front of City Halls where the bigwigs invite the powerful to catch beads, eat and drink.

Our Mardi Gras is smaller than New Orleans and, maybe, a bit quieter. I hope so because the big truck parades and famous New Orleans parades are fun if you have a safe place to view but horrendous if you are in a jostling crowd of drunks.

My favorite New Orleans parade places to watch are either from the front yard of a St. Charles Ave. home or from the balcony of the Boston Club. Here on the Coast, let me have a place at one of the City Hall stands.

Today, my favorite viewing place is right here at home.

I've enjoyed Mardi Gras for many years and this year, I do not give a hootie about any of it.

LD and Mr. C. are out getting new cell phones and trying (again!) to get LD's learner's permit for driving. Last phone call from Mr. C. said they were #120 in line. The last number called was #89. If Mr. C. is lucky, LD will be distracted by the learner's permit and he won't have to take her to a parade. Mardi Gras isn't the setting to let 15 year olds wander parentless at a parade.
Shoot! I don't want to wander without an escort at the parades either~!

Looks like I don't have to worry about this.

We are going to C. and P's to watch the Super Tuesday returns tonight. This means we can miss the night parades, too.

Eat, drink and be merry, y'all. Tomorrow is Lent.

Call me a curmudgeon,

St. Casserole

Good News!!!

E is the THE MAN!!!

Rev. Bird Dog and his congregation return to their Sanctuary!!! First time back in re-built facilities since the Sunday before Katrina blew through!!!

Mardi Gras parades today!!! Weather will hit 80 degrees!!! Eighty Degrees!!!

Happy as a Cat in the Sunshine,

St. Casserole

Obama Yes We Can

Dang! John Edwards has dropped out of the race to the White House.

Edwards, educated and smart, intrigued me as a candidate and was my #1 choice.

He earned his money rather than inheriting it.

He married a smart woman.

He cares about poor people.

I am so sorry to lose his voice in this endless campaign.

St. C.

January

January. Not my favorite month. Yippee! Only a few more days until my second-least-favorite month.

The pic is for LLS to see if she can identify it.

Frost on the ground this morning. Bedding plants look dead. Time for me to move along and do something productive.

St. C

Some people say they don't know how to pray.


If they pray prayers written by others they wonder if God hears them.



Or, if the written prayer is beautiful, will the prayer be able to speak so well when she prays her own words. Does God require prayers to be in formal language?

What do you do if you aren't sure your prayer is o.k. enough to pray?


Is God listening to prayer regardless of style?


How do you pray when you don't feel like praying and, in fact, would like to give God a punch in the celestial nose?


You may have the answers to these questions but for those new to prayer, these questions are great mysteries.



St. Casserole

Garage sales aren't going well this month. The cold weather, rain and general January angst keep sellers from putting junk in the garage to sell.

2007 ! A great year for junk!

Here's what I want to find in 2008 or after:

sterling or 14kt. sewing thimble charm bracelet

Bobcat


Just so you know,

St. Casserole

Update: A bobcat is one person driving digger, mover etc. industrial equipt. thingies.

Things I found in 2007 at garage sales:
sterling water pitcher
white metal topped kitchen table very old and in good condition
real Kate Spade purse
M.A. Hadley bean pot
15 pieces of Henry Watson pottery
William Sonoma tablecloth
framed black and white photos of old men
various pieces for my religious collection like plaster saint statues, menorahs
vintage fabric
large cutwork vintage tablecloth
I mention the name brand stuff only to let you know what's out there. The Henry Watson stuff is among my favorites because it's fun to use and I got so many pieces.
All these things were very cheap or I wouldn't have bought them. If you search long enough you can find anything for a low price.

Very cold tonight with a full moon shining through the clouds.

I'm wearing a sweatshirt hoodie with jeans to keep warm. Even Andy, the Warrior Cat, came inside tonight.

Cold rain fell most of today which made us stay home to watch Netflix and read.



I worked on my sermon which did not fall into place until I got back in bed under the covers with three cats snuggled in the comforter folds.


As I began to relax, I saw the John passage on a story board.



Then I saw the flow of the passage as I hadn't before and "got" the text which then put together what I couldn't piece until then.


If you need me, I'll be here watching the sky and glad to be at home.

St. Casserole

2008 Books Read

John Mortimer's Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders


Mary Pipher's Letters to a Young Therapist Excellent!

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast,* but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly,* but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (NRSV)

I believe this. I hope for this. I work for this. I struggle with this.

Right now, I struggle with the idea of Christian love.

I am coping with someone who causes me great distress.


As far as I am able to determine, I must love this person.


I want to love them and count on the Holy Spirit to move my angry heart to love.


This person punches every single one of my values buttons and more.


For those of you who are new Christians, I'm telling you, following Jesus is counter-intuitive.


Discipleship is difficult hard work.

Here is my plan. I will make myself do the loving thing.


I will force myself to be who I think I should be. I will not be content taking the easy superficial way out.

If you hear yelling, it is I. I am resisting this with my entire being.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the brightness of God's goodness urging me forward even if I am considering carrying a vomit bag in my purse because I am so repelled.

I am being childish and petulant rather than trusting.


Although I do believe that if I force myself to be loving the Spirit will carry me through.

I mention this to you so you know I am no saint and that this struggle feels like walking up the highest mountain barefoot and blind.

You may be curious who I am allowing to trouble me this much. I'm not telling. Nope, its not a family member, not a congregant, not someone you know.

Pray me through this, will you?

St. Casserole

UPDATE: Thanks for your prayers and comments. Revmutha's "I'm praying that forgiveness tastes better to your soul than savoring your righteous resentment. Dang, I pray that for all of us." keeps ringing in my mind and she is correct that I was stewing in self-righteousness. Not proud of this at all. I got off-balance and you pals brought me back. Many thanks. St.C.

Your response to my last post about Little Church repairs makes me cry.

Thank you for wanting to help!

If you want to contribute or find out about Little Church's repair needs so you can help, please contact Martha-Lee Bohn (she is auntieflea at American On Line abbreviated dot com) She is the Community Outreach Co-ordinator for the presbytery handling disaster relief.

I feel the Spirit moving. Thank you, God.

St. Casserole

2 years, 4 months, 14 days

Where the walls separated from the building.
More wall damage. The silver rectangle above the fuse box is a strap to hold the wall to the building frame.
Same here.
More damage here.
When the roof was replaced, the work was shoddy. All we could find. Can't call them back to fix where water runs down the walls into the building. Roofing company left town.

We received 1/10 th of what we requested to repair our sanctuary building from all the donations people sent to our denomination. We have enough money, we hope, for enough materials to make repairs but no money for labor. Costs for labor and materials are much higher than before the hurricane.

We have requested help from presbytery but no one helps. We get referred from one person to another.

I am sad about this. We need skilled people to help us. We need to make repairs. People have been so generous but we were told that our repairs would be taken care of. We were told this over and over. We are waiting.

We are not stupid or lazy. We are a small church, the only church not yet repaired in our presbytery.

I am beside myself and wake up in the night worrying about the building.

St. Casserole

From the Sun Herald newspaper, in an article about committee assignments for the new legislative year:

"Sen. Debbie Dawkins, D-Pass Christian, said despite her seniority, and asking every term to be placed on the Transportation committee, she was left off again - as were other women.
"No chicks whatsoever," Dawkins said. "I guess we just cannot understand asphalt and concrete and no-bid contracts. The estrogen must just block something so that we can't comprehend all that stuff like all the boys. I could stop taking the estrogen - then everybody'd be sorry.""

Sen. Dawkins speaks truth against the powers. Amen.


St. C

I heard another story about hurricane recover today. A business was blown away by the storm. Qualifying for SBA low interest loans, they applied for help to rebuild their building, replace equiptment, etc. on September 30, 2005. Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005.

Yesterday, January 9, they received word that their loan had been approved.


Let that sink in a sec.


I said, "Why has it taken so long?" One wonders how most business can keep on all these months without any of the help the SBA intends to offer. I guess many business people have given up and lost their businesses. I was told that more than 15 different SBA loan people worked on their case. Everytime the business made an inch of progress toward satisfying the loan people, their person would leave the SBA and another person would take over the file.


Tell me again how we are all back to normal down here. Tell me again how the world has moved on and that we are all doing fine.

St. Casserole

We came home from our holiday retreat to a home filled with pet hair. Our house sitter was perfect and cleaned up for us for our return but three cats and one dog shed exuberantly. Taking out our Oreck 8 lb. vacuum I noticed that it was spewing dust rather than removing dust. Yuk.

I've repaired the Oreck several times over the years. It's a good vac but the repairs are not cheap and the very nice Oreck guy keeps very busy. As Christmas Day was coming quickly, I knew he couldn't do the repairs before the holiday.

Flush with Church Christmas buckage, I bought a Hoover Nano Lite at Walls Mart for less than fifty dollars. This vacuum is bagless. After the first part of our home was done and I'd dumped the dirt holder twice, Mr. C. commented, "it's surprising that the pets aren't bald". The Hoover does a great job and I am amazed at how much it picks up.

You folks with bagless vacs have seen how much yuk is picked up whereas we bag folks don't see the dirt but buy expensive bags for our machines. I'm telling you, I think this Hoover does a better job than the Oreck. I used the upright with a hose attachment built-in to clean the carpets of my car. Amazing! Much better job and easier on my hands and elbows than the small Oreck which came with my Oreck upright.

I'm over the Oreck and hereby declare the Hoover Nano lite (what a stoopid name!) the Official Vacuum of the Casserole Household.

Sincerely Yours,

St. Casserole

If I Could Have What I Want

...I'd be able to find a group of crafty gals/mixed media artists down here. I don't care about traditional crafts except to learn the stitches or techniques. I want an indie crafting group who do clever repurposing of thrift store finds, use color and fabric in new ways and see the world as only crafters do. These will be young women, not people my age who see retro as a new find. Where are these cute girls hiding? I want to see their color sense and perspective through their eyes.

I'm not asking that you fix this for me. I'm just sayin I'm looking.

St. Casserole

Today the temperature high will be 73 degrees, the low 57.

I put the new warming blanket in the linen closet.

Last week's freeze prompted the purchase. By the time I arranged the cords, controls and read the directions we had warm weather again.

Outside feels like Spring.

You can stop laughing now,

St. Casserole

The tradition of making faces at the preacher continued yesterday in worship at Little Church. Begun years ago by LLS, the entertain-yourself-while-listening to older sister/Mom grew to new heights of silliness with LD crossing her eyes, smushing up her face and performing the slack-jaw-bored expression.

The preacher was grateful the actress sat on the second row.

Humbly because that's all one can be when LD is present,

St. Casserole

2008 Books Read

The Careful Use of Compliments by Alexander McCall Smith

Fourth in the Isabel Dalhousie series.

Loved it. Isabel, a philosopher, goes through all the thickets of philosophical thought to make decisions, loves poetry and art and falls for a younger man. She's in her early 40's, he's in his twenties.

Eschewing Shuggah

New Year's Resolutions


Eschew refined sugar, search out foods without high corn frutose and etc.


Trust God


Act with hope


Wear red shoes often


Rejoice in early morning coffee drinking


Do art often


Well begun is half done,

St. Casserole

Happy New Year

May you find rest for your soul.

May you have work you love.

May your relationships be stronger.

May you accept yourself.

May you witness wonder, mercy and mystery.

May your year teach you useful things.

May you spend more time laughing than crying.


Thinking of you,

St. Casserole

I drove to the New Orleans airport to collect my passenger! She is here and we are happy!
Drinking coffee in her room this morning, all the cats and Sister joined us. If pets can adore humans, the room filled up with Songbird Adoration.

Today we revisit the hurricane sites Songbird saw in 2oo5 and 2006. She will see St. Peter's rebuilt, Mr. C.'s unbuilt office site and ride along the beach road toward a yarn shop. Yarn must be bought! Shopping must be done! Lunch must be eaten!

And we will talk. My soul will fill up with good ideas and her wisdom. What about this, Songbird? What shall I do about this?

Could you all come down here RIGHT NOW and join us?

I mean it.,

St. Casserole

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Today we celebrate! In two more days we celebrate AGAIN!

Love,

St. Casserole

To all of you who led or will lead worship tonight, bless you.

Merry Christmas,

St. Casserole

What a wonderful Advent Retreat! Woo! Woo! Everybody relaxed, ate, read books and played. Laughed often, napped well and stared at the Caribbean water...

Now I focus again on the Fourth Sunday of Advent tomorrow. I changed from the Matthew text to Luke on the ship, then re-wrote my sermon. Sermon prep on a boat deck thrilled me although I had a difficult time hearing myself over the reggae and rock music from the band. Being dour Calvinist, I pushed away all offers of umbrella drinks for iced tea and kept writing.

No one asked me what I was doing. Being dour rather discourages questions.

I thought of you all while I was gone. Glad to be home again.

St. Casserole, Living a hard life...

See you this weekend! I'm off to Retreat the Last Days of Advent.

Hold my purse for me, will you? I'll be right back.

St. Casserole

#1 What Not to Give for Christmas

Twitch, the Road Kill Teddy. from www.roadkilltoys.com

Hat Tip and Warm Hug to Jane+

St. Casserole

The Invisible Woman

Hello. Hello? I'm not sure if you can see me. It appears that I am invisible to my family...
Tuesday I got a new haircut and a dark glaze for winter put on my hair. Not one person has noticed. No one.

If you would, help me out here by noticing my new haircut. I like it.

Comments are open,

St. Casserole, Invisible Woman

#2 What Not to Give for Christmas

This is the "Katrina Crown" from www.stumpsprom.com. Maybe you should send one of these to Sherry, me and other Katrina Survivors. Ol' stumpsproms wasn't thinking about us when they named this tiara....or were they?

#3 What Not to Give for Christmas

Great name but don't buy this for your SweetiePie even if he or she does have the dreaded "monkey butt". From www.duluthtrading.com Read all about it.

#4 What Not to Give for Christmas

from www.southernbellestore.com T-shirt reads: I used to go skinny dipping, now I go chunky dunking According to their website it's almost too late to order for Christmas.
Just. As. Well.

#5 What Not to Give

3 Gun Vase. Ewwwwwwww at www.gnr8.com $49

#6 What Not to Give for Christmas

Mom spit. from stupididiotic.com

#7 What Not to Give This Christmas

from www.prettygoodgoods.org

The Gift of Time Second Week of Advent

Just for this week, put aside: any worry that you are not living up to your Call, any concern that you are not doing enough in your ministry, any fear that you are not competent for ministry or worthy. Just for this week, trust God to take care of these for you. At the end of the week, you may if you wish, take back your worries and fears.

Ministry seldom shows results quickly. Ministry takes time. It's not how you feel about yourself this week or what that church member said to you in anger yesterday. Time will show the fruit of your work in God's good measure.

You run to the drug store with baby spit-up, a child's nose bleed or whatever down the front of your shirt. You see a church member and feel embarrassed. Don't. You've just shown your member that you are human, live a real life and aren't perfect. Many of our members worry that we are perfect. They are wrong to do this but our culture encourages thinking of some people as perfect so we fall into this trap. You look like a mess? Great. You freed the member from the trap.

You forget a portion of the worship service. Fine. Read the above paragraph. Relax.

That kid in confirmation class who looks as if he hates being there each week? He's the one who enters the ministry years from now leaving behind an insurance career because he hungers for serving God's people. You are part of his call to ministry.

See that woman over there? The one who looks at you like you are symbol of what is wrong with the entire planet? She's lonely. She's unhappy. She can't get along with anyone who matters to her. She knows something is wrong but can't figure how to ask for help. If only someone would move in closer to her rather than allow her pushing away to keep her isolated. Who knows, you may be the one. Or, not. Regardless, her response to you isn't personal.

While you contemplate repentance and waiting for the Kingdom to arrive, forget about time.

Just for this week. It's not about you and your success or failure. It's about God and God's sense of time is holy, welcoming and right.

St. Casserole

#9 What Not to Give This Christmas

Right this minute, I live in the peaceable kingdom.

The Lion has lain down with the Lamb. Fish is happily snuggling with Dubby on the sofa in our bedroom. Previously, Fish didn't have anything but clawy paws for Dubs.

Sister, the best Dog Nanny in the Whirl, was handed a green Milkbone dog biscuit from my purse. I put the freebie dog cookie in my purse while at Petsmart. The dog cookie must smell weird to Sister who took the bone timidly then walked behind a bush to drop it. She has lovely manners.

LD returned from Church Christmas Program Play Practice to say the play was NOT going to get ANY better no matter how much the adults yelled at the cast.

Mr. C. is reading the ninth Horatio Hornblower book (carefully found at used bookstores and garage sales) and could not be happier.

I'm in my study and just ate two Dove Dark Chocolate pieces.

Contentment!

St. Casserole

Fish Gets A Cookie

This is Fish. He walks around and gets a cat cookie.

Fish and Whistle look great in their Christmas collars. Fish's collar is red with candy canes. Whistle has blue snowflakes on his. Dubby picked a blue collar with polar bears.

Took this with my Flip video camera. You may need to go get one yourself.

St. Casserole

On the Way to Church Report

Left for Church: 20 minutes late
Saw as I left: Methodist putting up a tent in their church yard
Took as I left: Bible, sermon, alb, Advent stole, agenda, coffee
Road Conditions: clear, blue skies, dark clouds off in the distance
Animals Escaped: two goats by the side of the road
Birds Observed: 4 buzzards
Christmas Inflated Yard Decorations: lost count
Stops: one for cough medicine, one for coffee
Number of Hunters at Coffee Stop: 6 in parking lot
Thought About: sermon, beginning of Year A, Advent
Felt: full of cold
Emotional Status: happy

St. C, just reporting in

#10 What Not to Give This Christmas

Please. Don't give this to your Sweetheart for Christmas, ok?

from Urbanoutfitters.com

Duly noting the abhorrence RG's have for Christmas Yard Inflatables, I offer this Cake Inflatable in honor of my Third Blogiversary!

Three years ago today, I posted on this blog. Since then, I've met many of you. You've been my friend, counselor, made me laugh, made me cry, sent me to my knees in prayer for you, suggested great books, taught me how to cook the Festival of Meatloaf and Grace Solidarity Cake, kept my cats in Greenies and told me what perfume to use.

What would I do without you?

I don't wanna think...

Ministry is better in fellowship or "revgalblog-ship",

Love,

St. Casserole

Today is World AIDS Day. We celebrate the progress made in the past twenty-something years educating people about this public health issue. We remember those who died before we knew much about the disease and those who died because health care wasn't available to them. We remember friends, colleagues and family who died from a disease which was once considered to be "shameful".

Down here, when I began to hear about AIDS cases, I started reading about the disease. I found out that a friend at the newspaper resigned her reporting job to work with a tiny agency trying to help AIDS patients. When I went to see her, I was stunned by how much of her time was taken up with reassuring everyone and trying to protect the privacy of her clients.

If you want a "hot button" ministry, find out what no one wants to talk about, what scares people and where "nice" people will not go. I decided to be intentional support for her the other staff. I wouldn't be allowed to have contact with the clients because of privacy issues and the fear the clients felt towards religious people.

People who knew I did this were not happy. They accused me of putting my young children in jeopardy because I could bring the disease home. They wondered why I would associate with people with AIDS.

I wasn't being brave. Really, I just thought that if something happened in our community that clergy needed to be there. Most male clergy didn't want to have contact because of the stigma of being thought of as gay. We didn't have but a few women clergy and I don't know where they were because I didn't know them.

I led a support group for HIV people and their caregivers. I cooked dinner at home for the support group and carried it to the building where we met. The clients were hungry, lonely and paranoid about privacy. They were angry, afraid and bitter that the world around them spent more time condemning them for their disease than showing compassion about their illness.

Before the cocktail drugs, my clients wasted. I asked the board of the sponsor group for pillows for the clients to sit on so they could be comfortable. I brought candles, flowers and homey decorations for our meeting room.

I was asked to do funerals for client after client. Many didn't have pastors so I became their pastor, to the extent that they would allow me. Looking back, I wonder how we all stood the months and months of deaths.

I watched clients learn to monitor their illness and become drug and diet experts. I stand amazed at the bravery of all those I knew then.

Remember that this all took place with a wall of privacy around them. The disease was horrible but the public shaming made everything worse.

When the protease inhibitor drugs came, my clients began to hope. They stopped wasting and developed big stomachs. Women began to come to the agency in larger numbers. Couples, teens and startled "regular" guys poured in.

When I began my work (unpaid, unnamed and not sponsored by my religious group), testing for HIV took months. This meant that the disease grew wildly while people waited for test results. Now, you can be tested and get the results in one day.

Then, it was almost impossible to get African American pastors involved because they would not consider that anyone in their church might have the disease. The 'phobia was too much for them. Now, the local World AIDS Day service is held in a Black church. The African American pastors are knowledgeable, compassionate and helpful.

Everything is so much better now. Amazingly better. I can't believe the improvements. The crisis isn't solved because new cases of AIDS happen. There is never enough money for all the need. Ignorance exists still.

Being with a marginalized community as an observer, friend and learner changed my life. The ministry I had in those early years of the disease blessed me in ways I can't express.

Mr. C. says I don't talk about stuff I've done because I don't value it. He may be right. It seems self-serving to discuss this here but the post isn't about me but about how the world has changed. And, how grateful I am to have known people who stopped being afraid of church-preachers-God because they let me into their lives.

Now I'm not sure if I should publish this post. Let me click the button quickly before I change my mind.

I don't feel any better than I did yesterday but I got up and left the house. I've been at home since I got home after Worship Sunday.

This morning I realized I couldn't take another minute of daytime t.v. with the cats. They fight about the news, cry during soap operas and love CNN.

We needed everything at the grocery. I got as much as I thought I could carry and put away without dropping in exhaustion. I heated the saute pan with olive oil to brown a roast and caramelize onions, garlic and chopped green peppers. All went into the slow cooker (not the pan!) for several hours. I may be sick but I can make a great supper for my family. The roast recipe includes cutting up andouille sausage, browning it and adding it to the roast. The andouille gives extra "heat" and flavor to the roast.

I'm here eating my supper in front of the computer alone. Well, a few cats are hoping my dish falls over but no humans are with me. LD is over by the church for supper and Christmas play practice. Mr. C. is having dinner with a college friend who blows through the state once or twice a year.

I knew all this but my poor stuffed up cold head didn't remember.

I cooked, cleaned the kitchen and did two loads of laundry.

I feel rotten, righteous and lonely.

St. Casserole "What a Woman!" TM

Very surprised by the news Sen. Trent Lott retires in a few weeks. Caught me off guard because I know everything changes in politics when you least expect it. Lott says he stayed on to get help for his constituents after Hurricane Katrina. His home in Pascagoula disappeared in the storm.

Some say Young Pickering will be appointed by Governor Hailey Bubba to replace Lott until the election. Don't know much about Young Pickering other than he's a fertile parent (5 sons) and is the privileged child of privilege. I'm not thrilled about legacy politicos.

The Worst News Yesterday was the forced resignation of Coach Jeff Bower at USM. 14 winning seasons and you get pushed out as Coach? Our entire dinner table discussion involved this bad news.

I have a head cold. I do not feel well.

St. Casserole

Guest Blogger: Fish

For immediate transfer: Dubby, the kitten. Really, folks, I've had it with this boy. He gets attention from Mom, LD, Mr. C. and Sister-our-Nanny.

Whistle loves him. I do not love him.

Whistle plays with Dubby and takes naps with him.

That's my job. Time spent with Dubby means time taken from me.

Come get this kitten. Take his stupid blue kitten collar and that red felted mouse, too.

Up to my whiskers,

Fish

Ohhhhhhhhhhh.....I have a head cold.....I feel dreadful.....I am pitiful.

I am a walking plague of Kleenex, Chapstick and water bottles. People ran off to work and school so fast today that the cats got scared. Why?

I am crabby, very crabby.

So, why not use this ill temper in my ill body? Here's my list:

HEY WORLD! LISTEN UP!

DO NOT WHISTLE IN PUBLIC!

DO NOT PUT EMPTY BOXES BACK ON THE PANTRY SHELVES!

STOP HOLDING YOUR FORK LIKE A TROWEL!

STOP ANSWERING "NO PROBLEM" WHEN I SAY "THANK YOU".

Fondly,

St. Casserole

One More Time

One more ugly cover from The Presbyterian Outlook, November 19, 2008 Issue.

Please! I'd rather have old photos from the Historical Society than creepy covers like this one.

St. C.

Hey Inner Dorothy! Get a look at this Veggie Tales Nativity Set!

Is the world great or what???

St. Casserole

LS slept while I vacuumed the family room. When his arm dropped down from the sofa, I vacuumed around his hand then under his hand.

He slept through this.

St. C

Mug Meme

Beso Mami has a mug meme here of seven mugs in our cupboards.

Here are mine:

1. an English pottery glazed mug with blackberries on it from a trip to England with my Mom in 1978; one of four mugs only this one remains

2. my REVGALBLOGPALS mug from our site at Cafe Press Mr. C. uses this giant sized mug more than I do

3. a Kate Spade Rutherford Circle red mug from the local salvage store

4. Walter Anderson pottery mug from the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs

5. White mug, plain but lovely to hold

6. Blue Fiesta Mug in that odd blue glaze not dark or light

7. A Catzilla mug with tuxedo and ginger cats

I would like RevMutha, Songbird and NotShy to tell us about their muggage....

Hope you got enough turkey today,

St. Casserole

From the prayer book, "and give us one thing more, give us grateful hearts".

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

St. Casserole

Ten Random Things About Me

I'm playing because Songbird invited me to play.

1. I really like Diet Coke.
2. I was head cheerleader for the Calvin Bowl my first year of seminary in Virginia.
3.I love a dollop of maple syrup in my oatmeal.
4. Sterling silver, how it can be made into anything, fascinates me.
5. I'm going on the RevGal Cruise!
6. I design houses to fall asleep.
7. I listen to audio books while driving.
8. Early morning is my favorite time of day.
9. I like sweets and wish I didn't.
10. I've learned more about the Bible preaching the lectionary than I ever have before.

You reading this? All the way through? I tag you!

St. Casserole

Rev. Bird Dog says he gives up the ministry every Monday following Easter Sunday. He says he gives it up, without a backward glance....until he gets rest.

Is Daylight Saving Time a governmental reminder that we are exhausted? Around the Casserole home everyone is worn out. We go to bed earlier and stomp around cranky through these short light days. If I didn't love them, I'd holler at them about being crabby and turned inward through the early Winter days.

James Howell writes about "Staying Power" in the Oct. 30 Christian Century. Howell tells the story of the night he decided to leave the ministry which turned out to be the night he decided to stay in ministry. He doesn't say when this night occurred but it may have been in November.

I imagine he was tired. Aren't we all just aching for a deep sleep and several good naps?

It's Advent almost. I will put aside Luke and the current lectionary to sprint with delight to a new year of texts. Not that I haven't gotten more out of the Luke year than I ever have before but because I am tired of trying to compose sermons to bring Jesus' words to a tired and worn-out world.

I head off to Manhattan next week for my Annual Shopping, Food and Theater Pilgrimage. Miss P. and I have nothing planned: no tickets to see Radio Music Hall or TV shows or anything. She's worn out, too.

Ministry is tiring. Frustrating. Provoking of anger, rebellion and chaos. Writing sermons makes me feel like a beginner every week even though I have years of experience.

Stay and rest, people. Stay and wait, people. Stay and watch, people.

St. Casserole

Today

Finally. Cold weather here! Frost on the roof! After months of heat with humidity, the weather turned crisp. I am one happy RevGal.

John Holbert, the homiletics professor at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, speaks this morning at a local church. {The flower money pays for this. God bless the flower money!} John's topic is " What's Good about the Good News? Preaching the Alternative Reality of God."

Preacher quick recipe: Pumpkin Muffins-two boxes of Duncan Hines Spice Cake mix, two 15 oz. cans of Pumpkin, two teaspoons of vanilla. Combine the ingredients with electric mixer. Batter will be very stiff. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-24 minutes. Simple, delicious muffins with no eggs or oil.

I am very happy. Landscapers pruned, weeded, replaced dead plants and put out pine straw in our yard. Workers caulked windows and doors along with painting trim. My front doors are a subtle but odd color of green and look great. Getting work done here is frustrating, miserable and expensive. This week's crew did beautiful work. Amazing.

If your child is in theater, she becomes an instant drama critic. Hilarious discussion around the dinner table last night with LD dissing a local theater group who presented "...something about a cat and roofs" (trans. Cat on A Hot Tin Roof) "Dad", she said, "Did you know it was written by a guy from Mississippi?"

I will wear socks with my flip flops today and a turtleneck with my shorts in honor of the chilly weather.

Moving Right Along,

St. Casserole

Why I Live Here

From this morning's paper, here in the Backwater:

"When it comes to communiticating , Brown has said, “I answer my phone, my e-mails and letters, and I respond to messages.”"

Little Church is a happy place for me.

I walk up to the pulpit and feel a rush of joy and gratitude about being there.

Church redevelopment (or whatever it's called now) suits me fine.

We elected two new elders Sunday.

Couldn't have done this two years ago, but now we have the people and the energy.

Yours,

St. C.

Dear Aunt Bostick,

The Major Political Party in the state sends me several giant full color postcards daily touting their candidates. I'm even getting mass mailings of magnolia prints from the State First Lady printed in cursive! I didn't "do" Halloween this week because I know that the real "trick or treat" will happen on Tuesday with the elections. Any advice? St. Casserole



My dear Casserole,

I've been voting since Truman wore diapers. Did you get the one with the white Major Party Candidate with the picture of his Smaller Party candidate? Yes, the one where the opponent is Black. Good Lord! The subtle racism of the Major Party in this piteous State repels me!

Toughen your skin to balance between idealism and cynicism. Use your idealism to encourage hope for change and your cynicism to motivate yourself to get to work! The system needs our votes but pays little attention to us. Go to your local Council meetings, Neighborhood groups, State legislature to make your needs known. Speak up for those who have no voice.

On Tuesday, I'll vote for the candidate who has the most education and who repulses me least.

I want political parties to inspire me with thoughtful care of the children and elderly! I'm writing to the State Majority Party to tell them that I want them to put all their campaign money into programs for the poor like little children and old people. They don't care about the vulnerable. Health care for children and old people stink here. Immigration policy needs attention. Pay public school teachers a living wage! Throw out the school programs that exist to drive teachers crazy with paperwork and frustrate the children.

Let's make it a law that no politician can run for office unless his children and grandchildren attend public school. I know you sent your little precious ones to private school, so you are disqualified.

The Smaller State party isn't much better. Too bad the U.S. Attorney General's Federal Attorney Scandal cut off funds from one of the wealthiest benefactors in the State. Wait until people figure out what was done to them.

Get back to work, Sweetie. Do what you can to make your community better. Read about government. Read history. Pray. Think. Do. Isn't that what your sweatshirt says?

I've got more green peppers coming along in the garden. I'll send them on to you with Beulah Lynch when she comes to the Coast for the Baptist Ladies Drum Corp and Hymn Sing.

Love,

Aunt Bostick

I've been off line with AT&T modem problems. My modem went bad.

Workers are here at our home caulking, repairing and standing around looking at potential job areas.

John Calvin (pictured left) inspires me to proceed as best I am able, with God's grace, forward.

Nothing much else to report except my sermon which is mostly in my head but will be on paper tonight.

Yours,

St. Casserole