A brief blog for Sunday.
I rose with leg cramps, but I avoided most of the pain. I am connecting the leg cramps with beer drinking. It is the only thing that corresponds to the attacks. I will cut out all beer from here on.
I rose, found the coffee had not started but was assembled. I pushed the button, and it started. I must have messed up the timer when I changed the clock. Hmmm. I had peanut butter toast with the last of the fresh bread. I was wearing slippers, as my rule is no walking in shoes or slippers to protect my slightly numb feet and toes. A leftover from chemo and diabetes.
With the flowers drowned or going slow due to a lack of sun, the hummingbirds are mostly hanging out at the pines. I see them seldom now. The squirrels are still raiding the windfall apples. The flickers seem to be raiding the tree trucks.
I write the blog until about 9ish and post it. I shower, shave, and all of that. I put on a gray-blue dress shirt and a gold sparkly vest with a New Orleans-themed tie. I wear my black Humberg and black dress shoes. Air VW the Gray is fully charged, and I try to leave with it without the key fob (no), and then it will not leave parked while plugged in (a great feature). I finally (and safely) leave and soon reach First United Methodist Church on the observation of All Saints Day (and Reformation Day). The service is lively and also sad as the names of the Saints who have gone before us are read and spoken (including Susie and Joyce Hill, Susie’s aunt, who passed away this year). Eric K sings the lead in an excellent piece with Ashley playing the French Horn and Brian accompanying on the piano.
Michael R gives the sermon and explains why saints are important to us United Methodists, “From Ain’t to Saint.” We do not worship people, but recognize the vital work they do while living. It is important to us to remember those who came before us and went before us. We see people moving towards being saints as they grow in their faith, Michael R explains.
It was communion, and we had a homeless guy—one of our regulars. I was busy as an usher. I also gave a peek at the construction and kept my eye on the doors. I did not get out of church until 1ish.
Deborah and I connected as I reheated some of the Popeyes’ chicken I got the night before for lunch. We then watched, Deborah in Michigan, the new season of Matlock. It was interesting to see how they are now mixing the stories and developing conflicts between people.
I contacted Mariah because we haven’t seen each other in a while. She agreed to an early dinner at BJ’s Brewhouse. I did get some housework done, as the dishes were done, and the chaos of things thrown everywhere began to recede. At 4, I met Mariah at the bar, and we got a high-top table and had a steak dinner. There, I made the mistake of ordering my usual beer. It was too much, and I could not even finish my steak. Last beer, I think.
We talked about travel and houses and caught up. Mariah works for a big corporation, but, like me before retirement, is finding that the pay, health care, and relative stability make up for a lot. Still, work leaks into your thinking and your personal life, and you do think differently than folks with more freedom. I think it was a good exchange for me.
We head our separate ways, unlikely to see each other until December, given all my travel. I return home and try to find some focus. I spent a few hours on our travel plans and sent a new email with what I have for folks for the two-week trip. I then write more of my Dungeons and Dragons 5E adventure for folks in New Hampshire. With the time change, Fall-back, I am tired at night. I get my Kindle and read more of the assigned book and make it a few more pages. Sleep comes soon.
I have trouble all night with leg cramps, at one point having to rise for twenty minutes to get the pain to stop. I try water and other solutions, but none work. Have not been this bad since the last time I had a beer or two. Hmmm.
I manage to sleep but rise late at 8.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 