Yesterday

In the midst of an otherwise "crappy" summer, yesterday was like a breath of fresh air. First, Tilly and I went to church. My quartet sang the special music, which was delightful. Immediately after church, the same quartet trekked to Big City to do a guest concert at a church picnic. The pastor of that church used to be our associate pastor, and she invited us to sing at their picnic. Other than getting my bare head sunburned, it was a total delight. The people were warm and welcoming, and so receptive to our music, that too soon our hour concert was over. I think all of us could feel the spirit of God moving in our midst.



After striking and packing up the sound equipment in Hube's SUV, Tilly and I crossed the Big City from south to northside where we met up with my college roomie and his lovely wife. Now this is a couple who we have been friends with for nigh on to 40 years. The live in the next state and Big City is about the same distance for both of us. We try to meet a few times a year to just eat and visit. Well, yesterday, we met at Cracker Barrel, ate a late lunch, then sat on the veranda for 4 hours and just got caught up on each other's goings on. We used to think we had to go to the mall or something, but this time we just sat. It was wonderful. Roomie and I lived together for almost 2 years back in the day, and we have remained close friends ever since. Our wives are like sisters. Our children are close to the same age and we both have grandchildren. The only difference is they have 7 grandkids, we only have 1.



All too soon, it was time to go home. Admid hugs and kisses and promises to get together again before the snow flies, I was struck by how lucky I am to have a friend like Roomie. How many of us have a friend that lasts a lifetime? I feel truly blessed.



Like I said, it's been a crappy summer with a plethora of problems, but once in a while, there is a glimmer of sunshine that creeps into the clouds. Yesterday was my glimmer.



Grace!



JE

Idle Thoughts of a Wandering Mind

My brother, who is so profound, wise, and a fantastic person sent me this. It is yet another list, but some of these are really funny. Enjoy

I had amnesia once -- or twice.

Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.

All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.

What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

They told me I was gullible and I believed them.

Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home, and when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.

Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.

One nice thing about egotists ... they don't talk about other people.

My weight is perfect for my height ... which varies.

I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not sure.

The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

How can there be self-help groups?

If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?

Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

Is it me, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Grace!

JE

On A Day When You Just Don't Want To Be A Grownup

You’re never too old to learn something new, and sometimes the best lessons come from children. Consider: The typical five-year-old laughs out loud 400 times a day; an adult just 15. We grown-ups could definitely use some lessons in lightening up. Every kid also knows that the messier the room is, the more fun you had! So let a child’s enthusiasm for life rub off on you. Here are just a few pearls of wisdom that can bring out the "kid" in all of us.

1. Each and every birthday is a big deal. Even if you can no longer count your age on your fingers, you deserve a birthday party with friends, a cake, presents and silly games.

2. Just because you have to eat things that are good for you doesn’t mean you can’t make a face when you do. Maybe that tofu-and-sprouts sandwich would actually taste better if you scowled at it for a while.

3. When you’re indecisive, rock/paper/scissors is as good a way as any to make up your mind.

4. People come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Isn’t that grand?

5. When you’re cranky and tired, a nap is just what the doctor ordered. Find a fluffy pillow and blanket, turn off the lights and rest your eyes for 20 minutes. And when you wake up, have some milk and cookies.

6. Everybody needs a time-out now and then. It’s a great chance to sit and think about what you’ve done wrong and how you can avoid doing it again.

7. It’s often better to bang on the pots and pans with a fork, spoon and knife that to cook in them. After all, that’s why they invented take-out.

8. On average, a five-year-old laughs out loud 400 times a day. An adult laughs only 15 times. Can you find 385 more things to laugh about today?

9. If you spend your life avoiding doing things that make you look silly, you’ll never have any fun. Do you really care what people think as long as you’re having a good time and aren’t hurting anyone?

10. The messier the room is, the more fun you had!

Were they "God Moments?"

Every once in a while I have these experiences that just affirm life. Today was one of those days. As you have read previously time and time again, I drive a public transit bus/van for our county. Well, this morning I received a call from dispatch to go to one of our local thrift or charity stores and pick up a rider and take him to the county line, which incidently, is as far as our bus travels. So I went to pick him up. I was confronted by a young man about 19 or 20. He was carrying one shoe and sock in his hand and hobbled across the street and climbed aboard my bus. The thrift store had given him two dollars for the fare to the county line, which he paid me. He apologized for the "one shoe off, one shoe on" but had stepped on a rusty nail and it had gone through his sneaker and jabbed his foot. He had been hitchhiking trying to get to the major city to our east. He had no backpack, no change of clothes, no money, except for 75 cents and of course the two dollars for bus fare. I asked him where he was going. He said he was trying to get to Florida where his family was. When we got to the county line, where I was picking up another regular rider, the other county's transit driver refused to haul him on into the next county without permission from their dispatcher. He got on the radio and asked if he could transport this young man. They said "how are we getting paid?" The young man had no money. I explained that to the driver, and he said that they would have to be paid. The dispatcher came back on and said that she "guessed they could transport into the town, but not to the next county line," which would have put him close to the big city. In the big city, he had a contact with a "Father Tom" at a Catholic mission who was going to help him get a bus ticket to Florida.
I thought about it for about 10 seconds, and gave the driver the young man's fare so the dispatcher would not have a hissy fit. I took one look at the young man and thought, this could be my son or daughter trying to get home. I had a coin purse in my pocket full of silver change. I suppose that there was about $4.00 worth of change in it that I use for pop and treats while I am working, but something told me to give this guy the change. I handed it to him and told him to keep it and buy himself something to eat. This 6' 2 or taller young fellow stood there with tears running down his face and all he could say was "thank you." He shook my hand, and climbed aboard the other county's bus and pulled away.
I have had this young man on my mind all day. I wonder how he is doing. I don't know if he was honest, or "fleeced" me, and I don't care. But something in my heart tells me that I did the right thing.

Later in the day, my daughter-in-law was T-Boned at one of our busiest intersections. It totalled her new car, and caused the air bags to deploy. She and her passenger were unscathed. I know a higher power was watching over them both. Tonight as I write this, I know "Sistah" is safe at home, but I wonder how safe and sound my morning rider is.

Grace!
JE

The Value of a Delete Key

If any of you out there read my last post, you know how I feel about a certain subject. Well, I got some negative feedback, so I guess I offended the masses. It wasn't my intent, and when I first started blogging I warned readers that I get somewhat passionate about some subjects.
While I am not apologizing for my last blog, I am deleting it in order to keep the peace.

Grace!

JE