Unconscious

I'm amazed at how the unconscious part of the mind can blindside you.  Woke up in the middle of the night from a really bad dream-memory.  Thought I was done with that when I worked through it in therapy, but at least it doesn't have it's previous power over me.

An early anniversary, busy weekend

Have a nice dinner out planned for tonight with mrs tg, as an early celebration of our anniversary.  The actual calendar date is Sunday, but I have two singing gigs that day, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening.  I imagine we may go out to dessert on Sunday after all is finished.  It's shaping up to be a very busy weekend, though, especially now that I have to replace a storm door on Saturday morning, too.  So, for now, the weekend looks like this:
Leisurely dinner date tonight
Men's group, 7:30 am
Replace storm door
Pick up granddaughters, drive to Richmond, IN for 4:00 Christmas show
Dinner in Richmond after show, or on the way back
Mass Sunday morning
Jubilee gig Sunday afternoon at assisted care facility
Dinner at fellow Jubilean's home between gigs
Jubilee gig (Advent Evensong, very cool!) Sunday evening
Dessert with mrs tg
Collapse in a heap

Advent

I love this season, and every year insist on holding fast to it while the world around me is rushing into an artificial version of Christmas. Even the Christian radio stations, which at least are focusing on the right aspects of the season, will stop playing Christmas music on December 26th, just a day into a weeks-long celebration that allows us to reflect on so many different aspects of the Word becoming flesh: the Incarnation (Christmas day) of God the co-eternal Son, born into a holy family (Sunday within the Octave) on earth, revealed to the whole world (Epiphany) to bring us back into relationship with God (Baptism of the Lord). I'm just not ready for the season to be over as soon as the grandkids have all unwrapped their gifts!

Well, part of the key to that is to celebrate Advent well. Our parish does this, adding Advent Evensong celebrated each Sunday to the rich liturgies for each week of the season. Now Jubilee is getting a chance to do so, too, offering an expanded version of this ancient, rich prayer service with wonderful Advent music. And both of these music ministries are also reaching out to those often forgotten by our society, with visits to several area assisted living centers, celebrating Christ's Advent with those who are too often cast aside by our society. I count myself blessed to be a part of these two great groups of music ministers.

Is blog neglect a felony?

Wow, have I been neglecting this! Could be because of a houseful of grandkids (3 4-and-under) and their mom, and a bible study, and a choir rehearsal, and Jubilee rehearsals starting back up. I'm sorry, little blog; you deserve better.

But my son-in-law in basic training really deserves better, so I'm going to have to neglect you for a while longer.

* on average

Manipulative marketing drives me batty.

The Pringles package in my kitchen boldly proclaims:

100 crisps in every can*
*on average

Now I'm wondering why they'd bother putting the word "every" in that slogan, aside from how catchy it sounds. I'm also curious how that approach would've worked for a political slogan:

A chicken in every pot*
*on average

How's that for instilling confidence among the citizenry? Of course, the actual slogan didn't work out too well, either.

Godspeed, Nic

Our son-in-law leaves for basic training today. Well, in-processes at the MEPS center and leaves the state tomorrow, but leaves town today.

What incredible love, to take such a step for his family. Our hearts and our prayers go with him.

Out of sorts

It's hard when there's so much to blog about. I wanted to write about our great vacation, but didn't much feel like focusing on that in the aftermath of my friend Chris' death. He died unexpectedly while I was out west. I hope to get back into the swing of things here soon. With a new Bible study started up, on Eucharist, I'll have plenty to think and write about.