Author: Rene

Decorations are completed…packages will be sent later today…Christmas card letter is in progress…haven’t done any baking yet. I might attempt this new recipe I found on Pinterest.

It looks doable and could provide a sense of accomplishment!

Watching this series like everyone else…wondering how the royal family feels about the whole Hollywood portrayal…totally understanding why Harry and Megan left England…thinking people probably believe all of this stuff…needing something else to do!!!!

Thus, going through my tiara collection and choosing one for the day. I guess I’ll be the Queen today. Someone has to?

My coral hoop earring is singing this one. “I once was lost, but now am found.”

An interesting, albeit unsurprising fact, is that I have lost many earrings over the years. There was the green glass heart earring from Italy which went astray at Barnes and Noble. I checked back there for a couple of years to see if anyone had found it. A wonderful green earring from India resides in the front meadow, lost after a mowing episode. Former neighbors have another earring in their backyard, green in color, unknown origin. One of my neighbors has me searching the ground for her lost earring after the wedding reception we held here.

There are many, many more victims, of course, but the loss of an earring which wasn’t green in color, was disheartening. Of course, it became unhinged whipping that mask on and off. And who in their right mind would wear hoop earrings with a mask, thus creating this constant problem?

Lost at some point yesterday afternoon in my travels, it was found upon disrobing last night. Thank goodness I chose to wear supportive undergarments! Now I can keep wearing my hoop earrings.

My Christmas tree is decorated – thanks to my daughter’s nudging and encouragement, and her actually doing the job. However, I claim responsibility for the ornaments.

Since we haven’t been hosting parties, my martini glasses and other stemware have seen no action. And they’re so pretty! Thus, a little ribbon and creativity, and voila!

My ornaments merely reflect the upside-down year we’ve had.

Shared by my friend, “Piane,” and technically-enabled by my son, I pass this gem on to you. I’ve laughed every time I watch it!

Enjoy your weekend.

After 31 years of wedded bliss, it only took 45 minutes to sit with the kitchen and bath specialist at Home Depot and order what I wanted. “We” wanted. That’s the part that only took 31 years. My spouse said, “Whatever she says.”

This is actually the point at which we began the deck project. We were really intent on upgrading our bathroom and making it more usable for us. Then – the weather was nice, COVID kept us sequestered, we had a wedding rehearsal planned, and the deck took priority. Now that we’re indoors with the same stipulations, sans a wedding, we are looking to do a project which will further cement our wedded bliss status. I’m pretty sure a bathroom remodel will do the trick.

Nothing brings people together more than shutting down a bathroom for a few months.

Along with your prayers of gratitude and calls to loved ones – remember –

Finally, the piano is tuned again. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so you know it was bad. Even though there won’t be a Christmas music party this year, at least I’ll be able to tolerate listening to myself plunk out the traditional tunes. My sister reminded me that I could livestream it…but as a gift to all, I won’t.

My piano tuner is 80-some years old, the only person who has tuned it for the past 21 years. Of course I had to schedule him for the snowiest and iciest day we’ve had this Fall. I tell you what though, he is a trooper!

First of all, he was on time. Second, he had to walk up my driveway because his car couldn’t make the rising elevation in the snow! I offered to drive him to his vehicle when he was finished, but no. He wanted to make the trek back. That’s when I had that twinge of regret. I didn’t plow the driveway, hoping the sun would do that job for me. (I did shovel the walks though.)

My husband will be happy that I left a job for him to do, I just know it. And I will provide the “music for plowing.”

Oh, so true, so true. My “lower level” (basement) is a complete disaster. I have idea-after-idea sitting there. I would call them crafts, but they aren’t moving into that phase yet. They are merely supplies.

With the snow…maybe that will change? Or, I’ll continue to walk down there and stare at the potential. After all, what’s the hurry?

While walking out of Wal-Mart the other day, the greeter thanked me for my beautiful smile. What a lovely thing to say, since it was only the eyes smiling, even though they aren’t even Irish! We had a nice little conversation, and it was a good reminder that we can still enjoy others behind the cloth, even if we greatly dislike wearing it. (And, as I learned from Biondi Jewelers, you can “bling” your mask with a brooch! I seriously can’t believe I didn’t think of that on my own? I’m off my game.)

Later that day I received this cartoon via “Parbara,” which aptly embodies the challenges of masked conversation.

And then this prayer came from my friend, “Pat.” Sometimes the messages are not masked, but are rather loud and clear! It seems an appropriate reminder for the Sunday leading to Thanksgiving.

A Prayer for Putting on a Mask

Creator, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacrament in the wearing of this cloth – let it be “an outward sign of an inward grace” – a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbours, as I love myself.

Christ, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions.

Holy Spirit, as the elastic touches my ears, remind me to listen carefully – and full of care – to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and each breath that it holds, be filled with your love.

In your Name and in that love, I pray. May it be so. May it be so.

Reverend Richard Bott

Peace and blessings this week.