It is early evening, still on Sunday, and sunny and dry, which is unusual for the Pacific Northwest (PNW). I am at The 649. Avery made me a special drink she thought I would like. She was just finishing her day and so headed out soon after. Crystal is here to finish the night. I decided I needed a drink and to be with people while I wrote. I am sitting inside as the desert weather means a cold wind, and soon the temperatures will drop desert fast. We are either raining or doing the desert-like nights and days.
I dusted and ordered the bedroom for the afternoon today. I went through Susie’s jewelry. Most of what remains is decorative and costume. I found some gold given to Susie by Ben, her father, and I will soon take that to Michigan and give it to Barb, Susie’s sister. I plan to mail the lesser stuff with photos and other items for Susie’s concert on 18 May 2024. I found Susie’s first passport, which she did not take to France when she fell ill, but it included the stamp from Israel from when we went there in 1996 with the Maryland Bible Society. Next, I found Susie’s ID for the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington and her original Michigan Driver’s Licence. All will be sent for the party.
I then made a sandwich for dinner, roast beef, cheddar cheese, and cole slaw. I added a smear of Thousand Islands dressing to the bread for flavor and to stop the bread from soaking up the slaw. I could only eat half of one. I put the rest in the frig for later.
I napped for a few minutes, then rallied and called Leta before it got any later. I caught her before she went to bed, and we chatted briefly. We switched to FaceTime, and I walked out to the backyard. I showed Leta the tulips (those I bought when Glenda was here a few years ago), and Leta showed me the night lighting on her deck, all powered by solar cells. Leta likes to have some pretty lights on at night. I switched to some less dusty clothing before heading out to The 649.
Going back on Sunday, I was at church in time for the service, even a little early. I sat in a new place, and that drew some comments. Methodists never do that. The music included the choir singing Precious Lord, and I recorded some of it and posted it on Facebook. Facebook software suggested I make it a public reel, so I did. Jack did an excellent solo that I missed in the recording.
Pastor Ken continued his mix of lectures, reports from his travels, slide shows, and preaching. Today, he attached everything to Isaiah 58. This is a favorite passage for me because God says people should stop pretending and show care for the poor, the needy, and the widow to experience a genuine connection to God. God promises to be there if you are there for your fellow humans. Pastor Ken covers that evangelism, including John Wesley’s trip to Georgia (the founder of Methodistism and who preached to the poor and the coal miners), was funded by the sugar plantations that existed through the abuse of slaves. I had read Bury the Chains, which Ken brought forward, and I knew the story. I recommend this book; it is a fantastic work, and I must admit I cried at the end when we said goodbye to “the preacher” in the story.
For Pastor Ken, the question is about truth and how complicit we are in the terrible sins like the sugar-slavery economy of the past and those new modern sins like human trafficking, mass theft of people’s savings, and other apparent horrors we still face. What are we doing to make the world better? As God promises in Isaiah 58, helping is how to be closer to God. God is much less interested in the hymns, great as they are, and more interested in how the poor, the orphans, and the widows in your community are.
After church, I had an event with a homeless person at the church. I gave the person money to help, and then I had to leave. I will not describe the moments here to provide the person with privacy. It left my mind and heart troubled.
I headed home and remembered I had a book at Powell’s to pick up. I turned around; my head was still spinning a bit. The novel that becomes the musical Cabaret is Goodbye Berlin, and I ordered a used copy to be picked up at Cedar Hills Powell’s. While I love the musical, the last parts are so dark and hard to enjoy. Life may be a cabaret, as is sung in the musical, but that is a harsh moment that gets much darker. I wanted to read the original story.
Next, I decided I needed lunch, so I headed to Beaverton’s Elephant’s Delicatessen and ordered a Ruben with fries. It was wonderful, but I only ate half. I did eat all the fries. I brought the sandwich half back in Air Volvo and gave it to Corwin, who enjoyed it. As I had said, I was soon cleaning and organizing the bedroom.
I rose before my alarm and wrote the blog. I am time-boxed because I planned to be at church early, so I could only partially edit it. I wrote for hours as Saturday was a busy day to describe. I wore a sweater over my dress shirt and tie—no suit today.
When I arrived, a skateboarder, Angelica, asked for a bandaid. She had a scuffed knee. Not seeing a first aid kit, I grabbed the one from Air Volvo. I realized I had never opened it, which greatly amused Angelica. Soon, we found what we needed, and Angelica helped herself, and soon, she was fine. She was apparently known to Pastor Ken’s daughters and sat with them for the service.
It was obvious we needed to get supplies like bandaids in the worship area. Also, Angelica nearly laughed when I offered her coffee—it was not her thing. Bill, who does the coffee and snacks, will see about getting some water bottles for folks like Angelica. If we serve the public, we need to meet them where they are and their needs, even water, and bandaids.
I talked to Z at church, and Z saw the new Wyrmspan and asked me about it. I told Z I just played it, and we might have to play on Wednesday if I acquire a copy as an additional birthday present (I will likely buy a copy on Monday–don’t send me one!). Z is excited to do dragons. Wyrmspan is a reworking of Wingspan, one of Z’s favorite games, which has dragons, not birds.
I pulled the stove out partially; it is being hauled away and replaced on Monday. I ran one last load of dishes in the dishwasher, which is also going on Monday. I will be working from home as 1) the plumber is coming to improve the connections for the washer/dryer, 2) the new appliances are being delivered, and 3) the old ones are being hauled away.
I have enjoyed a New England IPA now at The 649 and enjoyed writing about it today. I hope you have enjoyed today’s story. Sunday is the day when I have to write twice. Thanks, dear reader, for following along. Also, folks on the East side of the USA or those willing to travel, see you next month if you can connect at Susie’s Concert. I plan to have dinner with friends on Friday, so connect with me if you are interested in the Beggar’s Banquet in East Lansing on Friday, 17 May 2024. I am staying at The Graduate Hotel.
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