Category Archives: Friends

June 6, 2012 · 11:38 pm

Proof of existence

A while back, after viewing Defiance again, I posted a quote from the movie on my Facebook page:

You annoy me, therefore I exist.

Several of my friends took that as a personal statement, and suggested that it reached a new degree of snarkyness even for me. I explained the source and folks understood.

Tonight, with three days of meetings behind me and two more days to go, a similar sentiment came to mind. Is it original with me? I don’t know. It certainly expresses my current reality well.

I meet, therefore I am.

See you – in a meeting – along the Trail.

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June 2, 2012 · 6:03 pm

New siding, still unsold

The Shire,
still unsold,
has a new look.
I had always wondered
about having shingles on the front
of a house or a condo,
still unsold.

See you along the Trail.

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May 29, 2012 · 10:35 pm

The condo that never sells?

“The Song That Never Ends” played, but did not end, on episodes of Lamb Chop’s Play-Along, a children’s TV show that aired on PBS from 1992-1997. It became quickly annoying. Each week. Every week.

The lyrics and tune repeated. And repeated. And repeated. No progress. No resolution.

The Shire in Louisville appears to have some commonalities with the song. Despite efforts of real estate agents; despite thoughts, well wishes and prayers of friends; despite offers and possibilities; it remains mine. Another sale has fallen through. My ownership just goes on and on.

On Friday, I journey to Louisville. A couple of days later, Tricia will join me. And, we will stay at the Shire. The dismantled Shire. The Shire bereft of almost all comforts. The Shire that never sells.

But we will make do. And we will save our respective employers money. And we will pose anew the question that has haunted humanity and wannabe hobbits through the ages:

Care to buy a condo in Louisville?

See you along the Trail.

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May 8, 2012 · 9:57 pm

Solemnising

Roja and Joel invited me.

The Presbytery of New York City vouched for me.

The Presbyterian Church of Ireland processed the paperwork for me.

The Republic of Ireland granted permission to me.

Thus it came to pass, on 28 April 2012, the immense pleasure of solemnising the wedding of Joel and Roja came to me.

And our mutual friend Joe photographed Roja and Joel …

… and me.

See you along the Trail.

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May 7, 2012 · 12:31 am

Strawberry Fields. Forever.

Tricia chose to spend a couple of days in New York before returning to Cleveland – in part to take advantage of the Tuesday air fares. We spent the day seeing some of the city and hanging with friends.

The day began with a walk-by of the apartment where our son will live when he soon moves to New York. Then we walked to Central Park where, as an acoustic guitar gently played, we viewed Strawberry Fields. We journeyed through the park to the Central Park Zoo which proved a challenge to find, which seemed odd considering how big it is. After the zoo, we made our way to the 9/11 Memorial Area. We had no tickets, so we simply walked by the outside.

Headed back uptown, we stopped for dinner at Vnyl in Hell’s Kitchen. Then on to Max Caffe where a number of good folks joined us for conversation, food and drink, and the simple joy of being together.

A day to remember, to learn, to mourn, and to give thanks. A good day.

See you along the Trail.

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May 6, 2012 · 9:21 am

Before the wedding

The Trail has recently taken Tricia and me on a quick trip to Dublin, other parts of Ireland, Belfast, and some of the region around that city. Perhaps quick is not the right word to use, the trip did last most of ten days. But many places remain unseen, calling for a return visit.

The wedding of two friends led to this trip. I have already posted about that joy-filled event: a reflection on a party before the wedding and some notes on the sermon. Here’s one more. Others may follow. This picture of my friends with her mother and sister has received many positive comments on Facebook:

See you along the Trail.

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April 28, 2012 · 7:40 pm

Love songs – silly or not

What song lyrics would you suggest for a wedding sermon on love?

Tonight I had the privilege and joy to preach at the wedding of two friends.  For the sermon I went with a reflection on love that used lyrics from a number of songs. Some I identified myself. Others were suggested by mutual friends: David Bowie, Laura Mariko Cheifetz, Noelle Tennis Gulden, DeLaina Gumbs, Irene Pak, Valerie Small, and Laura VanDale. For the little help that I needed to get by, I thank them.

Here’s the “playlist”:

  • With a Little Help from My Friends – The Beatles
  • What’s Love Got to Do with It? – Tina Turner
  • Can’t Buy Me Love – The Beatles
  • Free in You – Indigo Girls
  • Do You Love me? – Fiddler on the Roof
  • September – Earth, Wind, and Fire
  • Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
  • Home Is Where the Heart Is – Mary Travers and Holly Near
  • Respect – Aretha Franklin
  • Till the End of Time – Perry Como
  • Treasure Island – Mary Black
  • Bridge over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
  • You Can’t Hurry Love – Diana Ross and the Supremes
  • Love You ‘Till the End – The Pogues
  • Power of Two – Indigo Girls
  • Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own – U2
  • Let the Circle Be Wide – Tommy Sands
  • How Can I Keep from Singing? – Eva Cassidy

What would you add?

See you along the Trail.

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April 28, 2012 · 9:55 am

Henna Night in Dublin

Joel and Roja’s wedding brought me to Ireland. It seems only fitting that the first posting related to the trip should feature a photo of Roja, Joel and me. Thursday evening saw two wonderful celebrations – a Groom’s Party at the Palace Bar followed by Henna Night at Clontarf Castle in Dublin. At the end of Henna Night, we paused for this photo.

I leave in a few moments to prepare to solemnise the service at the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club.

See you along the Trail.

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April 25, 2012 · 8:25 am

The way of travel

An enlargeable basic map of Ireland

An enlargeable basic map of Ireland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tricia and I head to Ireland today. Friends have invited me to solemnise their marriage.

The day will see packing and the tying of some loose ends. Other loose ends will remain so. No doubt ends once thought secure will be discovered to be loose. Such is the way of travel.

I have long looked forward to a trip to Ireland. This is my first. I rejoice in the occasion. Still I will complain about the rush to get ready and worry about the things left undone and, Bilbo-esque, wonder about what I may inadvertently leave at home. Such realities are the way of travel.

Disrupting our routine opens the possibility for new experiences. New experiences offer the opportunity for new insights and growth. And that too is the way of travel.

See you along the Trail.

 

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April 19, 2012 · 8:53 pm

Shelter in the storm

Time and again, I would return to the Shire to find that the electricity had gone out. The clocks showed me that. Power seemed somewhat fragile.

Yet two years in a row, when snow and ice sent Louisville into a deep freeze, the Shire provided shelter in the storm for me and served as a warm place of refuge for friends stranded in the city, for friends whose homes, as had many in other parts of the city, had lost power.

See you along the Trail.

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