January 6, 2011 · 4:39 am

You travel too much

That’s what my friend and colleague Petero told me when he learned I was returning to Louisville this afternoon. Of course he has travel scheduled to Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and several other countries in February. He works for the Episcopal Church and holds their Africa desk.

The morning began with a visit to the office by a group from Eckerd College. They were in NYC for a class on the United Nations. They made their first stop the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. I had the privilege to talk to them about our ministry and to respond to questions. It was great fun!

After meeting with the group, it was discovered that the PC(USA) email system was done – so instead of email, the phone was necessary to make arrangements for Friday’s prayer service on Sudan. Fascinating to realize how much a part of life email is.

Then headed to LGA. The security line was about as long as I have ever seen – but it moved quickly and people were very patient. The flights went well – picked up the rental car and made it back to the Shire. Renovations have continued in preparation for selling the condo.

A limited number of dvds remain at the Shire – that was probably poor planning since the Shire on the Hudson has cable and the Roku box – should have left more to have more variety. Watched Amazing Grace.

Tomorrow I travel back to the Shire on the Hudson.

See you along the Trail.

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January 5, 2011 · 4:46 am

Meeting with the Committee on Ministry

The highlight of the day was a meeting with the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of New York City – a step in transferring membership. It was actually quite enjoyable. Lots of questions – but fun questions to answer. I believe that seeds were planted for future conversations as well. I think that gathering small groups of folk to talk about ways to partner in ministry may be worth pursuing.

In terms of goals – I ate well again; got a normal blood sugar reading; and walked 10,236 steps. I have not gone to the gym or engaged in concerted walking as I have a couple of sore spots on my feet. I am taking care of them and am seeing some progress so hopefully the exercise/walking will commence soon.

I got home from the COM meeting soon enough to watch Ohio State play in the Sugar Bowl. It would really be good for them to win – or at least I know many folk who would like that – I assume there are many folk who would like Arkansas to win, I just don’t know as many in that position. Things started really well, but the tension is rising. Ohio State just went on fourth down and came up short giving Arkansas good field position. This could ugly for Buckeye fans.

Tomorrow there is a meeting with the Eckerd College group; then I will do some work on the Interfaith Harmony Week; and then head to Louisville where I will stay in the Shire West for one night with a CPJ coordinators’ meeting on Thursday.

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January 4, 2011 · 5:25 am

Day 1 (again)

A travel day – often the most challenging – so easy to stop into Hudson News and pick up candy or nuts (not bad in themselves but a problem when a couple of bags are consumed at the same time).

A travel day – made even more challenging by a variety of frustrations – the plane was late and got later as the day went on – and the internet connection in BWI was pretty week.

A travel day – an emotional day, leaving family behind, realizing that I don’t really have a place to call home in the sense of a place where there is family/community, experiencing the realities of trying to live in three places.

A travel day – on which overeating did not occur, indeed eating was appropriate – only 6,700 steps but that is a few more than expected.

A travel day – the first day – more to follow.

See you along the Trail.

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January 3, 2011 · 10:22 pm

Patience

Stuck in BWI. Not sure how long it will be. Air card not working real well. Patience not my strong suit. Good news is that I have not allowed this to be an excuse for overeating. At least not yet.

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January 3, 2011 · 4:52 am

Signifcant witness and not-so significant games

Went to Noble Road for worship today. Communion was celebrated – Eric helped serve – always cool to be present when that happens.

For a number of years, Noble Road has done “Epiphany Stars.” These are simple star shapes cut from paper. On the paper is written a word. People are invited to take a star and receive the word on that star as a gift from God – to reflect on it through the year – to see if and how the quality or meaning of that word plays out in the coming year.

Before people receive a star, there is an invitation to reflect on the stars of the previous year. Only a couple of people share reflections but they are usually profound. This year was no exception. One person received the gift of “courage” and had to find the courage to move – leaving behind a home of 56 years – and making a new start because of health reasons. Another person spoke through tears of receiving the star of “loyalty” – of having that star for two years – and of spending those two years saying a long good-bye to a partner who disappeared into the horror we know as Alzheimer’s.

Such witnesses – such experiences – make the rest of the day seem insignificant.

Football was watched – with the VanRoosDales and MillerBrandts coming to watch the Steelers-Browns on the new TV. In terms of support, the crowd leaned a little bit toward the Browns. As the game progressed and the Steelers dominated, some of the neutral folks shifted toward the Cleveland camp. Texting with Bridgett and Valerie helped to balance the odds and increased the fun.

The Packers-Bears were next with the Packers prevailing. Basketball then took the stage with the Cavaliers losing. Duke was playing tonight but was not broadcast in Cleveland and for some reason, the Winking Lizard was not showing it either. So Tricia followed it on her Android phone.

Scrabble was played again with Tricia winning one; Eric winning two; and Eric and I tying on the fourth game.

During all of this, I did laundry and some packing.

Tomorrow – travel to NYC and the Shire on the Hudson. Back to work on Tuesday.

And tomorrow marks the beginning (again – the previous times have been practice – can this be the real thing) of working for health goals.

See you along the Trail.

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January 2, 2011 · 4:14 am

Of the tube and goals

Managed to wake up earlier today – 9:30 or so. But spent most of the day vegetating in front of the TV. Started with a portion of The Alamo – the 2004 version with Billy Bob Thornton and Jason Patrick and some others. I prefer the John Wayne version.

Football followed – a disastrous day for the Big Ten. A great win for Texas Christian. SEC domination. Penn State started well against Florida but faded. I still wonder if it is not time for Jon Pa to retire; I have been wondering that for a few years.

The evening brought the Winter Classic hockey game – and the Penguins lost. That means both teams I care about lost. Connecticut appears a bit overmatched against Oklahoma – knew that going in.

Played Scrabble once again. Eric won two. I did pick up one. But Eric has won more than his share – or at least some of my share – over this vacation.

Another day of overeating with pizza ordered in and cookies sought out. My plan is to adjust my eating starting on Monday. We have folks coming in to watch the Steelers tomorrow – well later today.

Goals for new year – starting Monday
Daily – eating well
Daily – 10,000 steps
Weekly – 5 times of exercise
Monthly – 10 pounds weight loss
Monthly – 333,333 steps
Monthly – 90% normal blood sugar readings
Annual – 120 pounds weight loss
Annual – 4,000,000 steps

The daily steps don’t add up to the monthly or yearly steps – I will have to figure that out.

Not sure what the rewards will be – have to figure those out.

See you along the Trail.

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January 1, 2011 · 2:16 am

The Duke and the Dude

Slept in – again. I am truly liking that.

Eric and I went to see True Grit.

Hailee Steinfeld was outstanding. Jeff Bridges is a better actor than John Wayne. Matt Damon was quite good. It seemed like some of the supporting players were almost trying to channel those who appeared in the original – particularly in terms of their voices and speaking patterns. There was some amazing scenery. A good way to spend part of an afternoon.

Shopping followed. Eric and I went to Aldi to pick up supplies for Sunday’s football game: Steelers v. Browns. The VanRoosDales and Francis and family will be coming over.

Then to dinner at Battiste & Dupree Cajun Grill. Quite good. We consumed a lot of shrimp between the three of us. I can’t find a Web page to give them a shout out, but they are on Warrensville Center in South Euclid – 1992 Warrensville Center Rd.

Eric then headed to Solon to bring in 2011 with the cousins. Tricia and I are watching football. I am reading Fanny Kemble’s Civil Wars. Pretty good.

Tomorrow brings lots of football – and games that I actually care about as opposed to games for the sake of watching football.

All in all, a good day. No wild critters spotted in the back yard, but a good day.

See you along the Trail.

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December 31, 2010 · 5:21 am

A failed, unimportant, quest


Slept in again. That is getting to be a habit. I am getting to like that habit. Of course I stay awake until two or three in the morning. This will all have to change.

Upon rising, I did some email follow-up related to EAPPI, Red Hands, and transferring my membership to the Presbytery of New York.

The animals of the day were deer. Three doe showed up in our back yard (although Tricia was awake early enough to see turkeys again. The doe stayed there a long time, settling in for what appeared to be a nice rest.

Watched a variety of football – no one game in its entirety but saw bits and pieces of Army beating SMU, North Carolina beating Tennessee, and Syracuse beating Kansas State. Now watching Washington and Nebraska. They had played once before this season. Tonight is a different story, at least so far.

Went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It seemed good enough but those who know the book did not like it. I can see their point – the movie not only changed things, it watered things down quite a bit. Not sure if we will go see other movies made from the Chronicles of Narnia.

After the movie went to dinner at Tommy’s – always a treat.

Scrabble again closed the evening with Tricia winning one and Eric winning one and me losing both.

The day also saw a failed quest. Of course it was a completely unimportant, inconsequential quest. I have had a yen for the last several weeks for Wedding Cake cookies by Archway. True, they are not great cookies – crunch shortbread, some nuts, a ton of powdered sugar. But I have always liked them – and I have not been able to find them this year – at least not in Louisville. I went to three different grocery stores in Cleveland Heights and South Euclid and came away empty. Oh well. Some day. Some where. I will find them again.

See you along the trail.

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December 29, 2010 · 4:36 am

Games played; games watched

Today was a games day – once everyone woke up.

We played Scrabble – Sean designed an Excel spreadsheet score card. Pretty cool.

Eric continued to win – I may have picked up one.

Sean left for CLE to return to Madison. I haven’t checked his schedule but I assume he is there by now. Eric went to Solon to hang with his cousins. They enjoy doing that.

This led to me watching football. NC State beat WVU – thought the Mountaineers might do better. The Vikings upset the Eagles – did not see that one coming. Iowa and Missouri are now playing – Iowa has the lead which is a surprise – but good for those who once lived in Diagonal.

Slipped some work in between Sean leaving and football beginning. During commercials and long half-time shows, I watched a fair hunk of the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Tomorrow – another day to sleep in – another day to do some work.

See you along the Trail.

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December 29, 2010 · 12:46 am

And Nixon wept

Played Trivial Pursuit with the family and Jeff, Carol, and Heather Phillips. It is an annual tradition. Drew had to work and missed this year.

A couple of things stood out:

Early on there was a question that essentially asked “Who said, ‘Henry, don’t ever tell them that I was weak and that I cried?'” It wasn’t my team’s question but for some reason, I knew the answer. From that point on, whenever an absurd statement was needed, the obvious response was “And Nixon wept.”

At one point in the 90s edition, Heather went on an absolute tear. She must have answered a dozen or more questions in a row. It was pretty awesome. The performance of the night.

Too much food was consumed, but there was great fun and much laughter. Until next year!

See you along the trail.

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