Thursday

The weather is really crazy in Oklahoma, it is warm, sunny and 72. Tomorrow we might be in the grip of winter with raging blizzards like they've got in Arizona, but in the meantime it is nice to have a summer's day on the 30th December.


Everything has wound down, or come to a stop, until next week, but we did have Kiwanis this morning.  The donut shop was closed but Cecil and Louise's daughter who runs it brought some cake I think she made.


I had a nice lunch with Sharon at Jimmy's Egg, a place we both like.  Afterwards took my car to have its shiny new headlight units put in. I think I am going to be able to see in the dark to drive now. It took a couple of hours but I sat and read my book.  I didn't want to bother Terry to run me home.  He came out yesterday to jump start the car so I could drive it to his garage, then he took me home while the battery was charging for a few hours, then he picked me up to take me back for it.  And he didn't charge me at all for doing any of that.

Tuesday 28th December

Yesterday, Monday, was very bright and sunny with ideal driving conditions so I decided it would be the best time to leave.  To drive for nine and a half hours I need all the help I can get.   I'd intended when it got dark to pull into a motel, but the sun was just beginning to go down when I got to the state line at 5 o'clock, and once I was in Oklahoma, and knew I was only two and a half hours from home I just pressed on and did the last couple of hours in the dark.   I got home at 7.30.


I've been finding it very difficult lately to drive in the dark, and never go further than Shawnee, I put it down to age and deteriorating eyesight but although that probably plays a part it occurred to me when driving a new (rental) car that maybe my car headlights needed looking at.   And they did.  I asked Terry, my friendly garage mechanic, and he pointed out to me the comparison between mine and his which were relatively new.  So I have two headlight units on order and he will put them in on Thursday.


I had a very relaxing break at the monastery, Michael and Peter looked after me so well, fed me with superb meals and copious amounts of wine.   In between services I finished a book I was reading, didn't touch the unfinished afghan, and worked on something on my laptop.


I got home to a very traumatised cat who probably thought she'd never see me again.  She ran under the dining table in a sulk when I got in, but settles herself down wherever I am.  She has her own chair in the computer room and curls up on that when I'm on the computer.   


I was busy early this morning returning the rental car, Sharon kindly picked me up from Hertz, dealing with a flat battery in my own car (I'd left an interior light on) and ordering new headlights.  The rest of the day I just spent recovering from my epic drive yesterday.

Christmas Day 2010

Day started about 8, I went over to the house for breakfast.  I was hesitant at imposing myself on Michael and Peter but when I didn't go over there last evening Peter came and fetched me, and they told me not to wait for specific invitations.

I didn't go to the 9.00 Morning Prayer but did go to Communion at 11.30, then spent the day finishing a book I was reading, and working on a project on my laptop until we gathered at 4 for champagne and snacks and mingled, then sat down for Christmas dinner.   Which was wonderful.

Last night Peter was saying how difficult it is to get lipstick stains out of napkins and he knows that on Monday morning he will be scrubbing away at them in the laundry room.   I asked why he didn't put out paper ones and he shuddered - just like our Dad would have done Pat - and said everything has to be the best.

I hope  my readers and their families all had a good Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Have been taking it easy today after my travelling yesterday, not that there is anything energetic to do.  I have a book to finish, an afghan to finish and a project on my laptop.

I thought I'd try and find a Starbucks, take my laptop and at least make moves with the regular players on its your turn, which as I explained is a restricted site I can't access here at the monastery.  I am sure the ladder games have all timed out now.  And go on Facebook, leave messages for friends in Shawnee.   I put the addresses of the 2 Starbucks into the Sat Nav but still couldn't find them, I think they are situated in a very busy shopping area of plazas and parking lots and I got confused.   These plazas were very, very busy and I remembered it is Christmas Eve.   It is easy to lose sight of that fact when it is nearly 70  and I am reading a book on a swing outside.

I had a very nice evening hanging out with Michael and Peter and some of their friends who were at Evening Prayer,  eating spicy prawns.   Not the ready prepared prawns like I get but fresh ones that have to be cooked and de-veined.   It must have taken forever to prepare because they are also serving them as an appetiser  tomorrow, and are expecting about 40 guests for Christmas lunch.  

Their cat made herself at home on my lap, she has very long silky fur I was stroking, I was told she was a Norwegian forest cat.  As she was a stray they took in I looked sceptically at Michael and asked how he knew that.   He said he has a book which identifies them.

It started raining hard during the evening so I was loaned an umbrella to totter unsteadily back to the guest house, after sipping copious amounts of sparkling wine.

Deep in the south of Texas

Left about 10.30 this morning - Wednesday - for David and Janie's home in Texas, arrived just after 3, which wasn't bad considering the Google directions weren't right and the Sat Nav or GPS kept switching itself off.   David wasn't there, he is working now in Houston which is a better commute than Kazakhstan, at least he gets home weekends and holidays.  It was lovely spending time with Janie, she is so warm and friendly and comfortable to be with.  She is always impeccably groomed herself, but not critical of others, so I could be openly despairing about my long, grey, unkempt hair, raggedy nails, bushy eyebrows and ninety year old hands covered in age spots.  I've really let myself go.   She tried to get me an appointment with her hairdresser, but she was too booked up.

J

Janie has two cats she adores and she was wanting to know all about Bubblese, so there was a lot of cat talk.
Thursday
Left Frisco Texas 10.30 and decided to trust the Sat Nav which behaved very well.  I sped through Dallas at 65 mph and having the voice from the seat beside me guiding on and off all the ramps and exits was a great blessing, particularly being told in advance which lane I needed to be in, for which exit.  I stopped I think for a total of an hour and a half for breaks, and arrived at the monastery in Beaumont shortly after 5.  I pulled up for what we would probably call a transport cafe for lunch.

  Inside was this framed, crocheted Texan flag (the lone star state).

I think there are about 3 or 4 people staying in the guest house at the monastery,  but I was the only guest at dinner, besides Michael's mother, visiting from Pennsylvania.
For dinner they cooked very tender, moist chicken breasts.  I'd never heard of this cooking method, but Michael said they seal the breasts in vacuum packs and then are cooked in a water bath at a pre-set temperature so they never overcook, or dry out.  They are both so keen on cooking, and we had quite a bit of discussion about British cooks, Michael has a huge volume by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall..

The Catholic diocese of Beaumont has blocked internet access to game sites, like its your turn, and Facebook, so you won't be hearing from me at all on there.

4th Sunday in Advent

Staying the night at Emmanuel went off alright.  There was just one family; a father, son and daughter in law.  The d-i-l is the only one working, unfortunately rather unsocial hours, we had to pick her up from the cinema at midnight so didn't get to bed very early.  They just started on the Family Promise homeless programme which usually runs for about 12 weeks, so we might see them again in 10 weeks time when it is next our turn to host.   While they are on the programme they have to save enough money to pay a month's rent in advance, and a deposit - which is quite a bit - on the utility bills.  The father has a van but was told not to use it and buy petrol, volunteers would take them where they needed to go.


I went to the 10.30 Service, the last I will go to taken by Fr Clark as I am not going to be there next Sunday, his last before retirement.


Monday
It was warm today, it got to 75.  I think it is the last day of summer before winter sets in.


Rang Hertz and asked if my rental car would be ready this evening which it was.  I wasn't keen on leaving my own car on their forecourt while I am away so Sharon kindly took me to pick it up about 4 o'clock.


It is a Toyota Camry and very nice.

I think I will be quite happy driving that down to the Gulf, it won't seem such a chore.  Especially as it has a radio and CD player (something I'm not used to).  I bought an audio book to listen to, and a couple of CD's.


Tuesday

Early morning in Shawnee.  Taken at the park, opposite the church.


Up early this morning, went to the 7.30 Daily Office.  I was telling Tim Sean it is at 7 at the monastery but I won't have to get into the car to get there.
Afterwards went running round town doing my errands, getting used to the car, which is partly the reason I delayed my departure until tomorrow instead of going today.  I had to call in at Hertz because I couldn't turn on the heating, and couldn't turn off the radio (I didn't think I wanted it non stop all the way).
Then I had breakfast at IHOP.   I am just so not into cooking.

I had the bacon and eggs combo, with cinnamon apple crepes, which is part of the $6.99 deal, but too much to eat at one sitting.  I took the crepes in a box to go.


Spent rest of day packing, etc.

Saturday

Out at 9 o'clock, ringing my little hand bell for the Salvation Army with Pattisue, outside K Mart.  I bundled up against the cold but we were able to step inside the little forecourt between the entrance and the main store.
Went to Emmanuel at 11.30 for the Community Christmas lunch, which was very nice.  It was all cooked by church members who cook well.  I don't know why I didn't photograph them serving it in the kitchen.  We had turkey (and there was plenty of it) 3 different types of cranberry sauce, dressing, 2 kinds of gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans.  A far cry from yesterday's meatballs.

The desserts at Emmanuel.  The Church provided the lunch and members contributed desserts. I took brownies, also dragged out of the freezer after the last Kiwani's bake sale.

I think she's Mrs Christmas.

Shawna did a very good job of collecting and sorting the donated clothing which guests helped themselves to.  The guests seemed to be mostly Indian.

Sharon and her grandson, Bradon.

Not a very good photo, but I thought I'd post it anyway.


This evening I am going to stay the night at Emmanuel with Elizabeth, and the Family Promise guests. I think there are only 3 of them.   I'll go about 8.30.  
There isn't a dinner host, they are getting the Christmas lunch leftovers.

Friday

Christmas lunch at the Senior Centre on Friday. My contribution of wholewheat Guiness cake can just about be seen in the foreground.  I'd dragged it out of the freezer where it went when I was clearing out dried fruit and Guiness from my larder.  They ran out of turkey, ha, ha, ha.  I had meatballs with my dressing and cranberry sauce.

They look a bit fed up don't they. And that was before the turkey ran out.


Was out and about running errands in town early.  Went to the gospel singing and afterwards had said lunch at the Senior Centre.    I'd rung Pattisue and told her I wouldn't be getting to the hospital until 1 o'clock.  I went round the 2nd floor but a lot of the patients had been discharged by the time I got there.


Tomorrow is the Community Christmas dinner at Emmanuel.  Church members  also donate clothing for those who want it.  We were told there was a great need for mens' clothes, but that isn't something I could help them with.  I did turn out my closet though and took some stuff to the parish room.  When I got there four men were cooking the Christmas dinner for tomorrow, a lovely smell was wafting from the kitchen.   The turkeys were gently roasting in the ovens, guys were scraping potatoes.  I didn't offer to help, they seemed to have it all under control.


Someone had donated a couple of backpacks in addition to the clothes, and they are highly sought after.  Not all the children in Shawnee are like the loved and cherished children we see at Kiwanis, being presented with their little trophies.   There are a lot from homeless families or foster care, and it is a stigma for them to have to carry their possessions round in bin bags from one home to another, so they are very grateful for backpacks.

Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday
Finally got my packages wrapped up for Christmas, and off to the post office, and as I sat writing out the custom declaration forms I felt sorry for the people who would be lining up behind me.  The packages should get there by the end of next week, but I couldn't have left it another day.  I set off for the post office clutching my credit card, thinking philosophically that the postage on this lot will be a couple of hundred dollars but there are things one just has to pay for.  I was  happily surprised therefore when it came out at about $68.

Afterwards I did my hospital chaplaincy round.  The evening was the last Wednesday evening with Fr Clark.  I told him I was practically sobbing.  Sharon did the dessert after the meal.


Thursday
I was up ultra early, first to pick up the donuts then get to Emmanuel for 7.30 and on to the Senior Centre.


It was the day the children were presented with their awards at Kiwanis.  Here they are pledging allegiance to the flag. The youngest little girl didn't quite get the idea, bless her.   

Saluting the flag of Oklahoma.   I know I've sent similar pictures to these before, but I just have this fanciful notion that when you are looking at them you are, briefly, sharing a moment of my world.


I was the speaker this morning at Kiwanis.  Something Larry Sparks dropped me into when he was there, and as he was exiting said "you should get Valerie to tell her story".


I told them about Larry and myself, how we met in cyber space playing chess, and how I came to Shawnee.  It didn't take long, not the half hour speakers usually have, so I said I would take questions. I thought the guys at least would be bored and yawning but everyone looked interested.  Some were interested in what life was like in wartime Britain, do I remember the bombings.  I told them I lived with my aunties and grandparents for the first four years of my life, and we were on the edge of Croydon airport which was heavily bombed, so I vaguely remember being carried down to the air raid shelter.  I remembered the bombed sites; for years bombed sites were practically the only landscape we knew.  I think most Americans are aware that it was a lot harder at home for us in Britain than it was for them.
I told them that my father brought some chocolate home after the war, and it was the first introduction to chocolate I'd had. 


They asked what I did for a career.  I said I'd left school at 15 to work in my father's office so I never achieved anything until later in life when I took a degree in Theology.     I didn't tell them this - but for years I always felt ashamed of leaving school at 15 without any O or A levels, and I always glossed over my lack of education and career, but getting a degree gave me a little bit of self esteem, so now I tell it like it was.


After Kiwanis it was the last Thursday Communion and lunch with Fr Clark who got to choose the venue. He chose the place where I always have a medium rare steak and he has something healthy, but today he was going to have the steak, he wasn't going to look enviously at mine while he had a lettuce.  Healthy eating is becoming an epidemic in Emmanuel.  It will be even more so when Rosalyn starts her healthy diets instruction in January.

Bubbles always thinks a hanging thread is something for her to play with.  I am used now to cutting off the chewed ends.    Note, I keep a small hand vacuum permanently plugged in to vacuum her hairs off my bed.

Tuesday

Well, Sharon and I got to the Senior Centre last night to find another couple there staying the night.  We don't know how that happened because we were the first to sign up, and having packed, loaded our cars, said goodnight to the animals etc we were quite hacked off about it.  But we came home and got over it.


There was quite a few of us at the 7.30 Daily Office because the men meet for breakfast on Tuesday mornings.  Tim Sean, the youth pastor who leads it does so from his iPhone.  I want one.  I thought I wanted an iPad but this looks cooler, he was showing it to me afterwards.  The Episcopalian Prayer Book is loaded as an APP on it.  


Afterwards this morning I went to the Senior Centre for their gospel singing and took along a little piece I found on the internet...

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.

He called his parents from San Francisco.

"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."

"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.  Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.

Several people came up to me afterwards and said it was a touching story.


Still haven't tracked down an alternative source of goats milk (it has a long sell by date on it, I'm going to load up the trolley when it does come in) so made another fruitless trip to Walmart.  Tried to find out from Customer Services when it would come in but the representative there was about 16 and just left school this morning, she said she didn't know.  I rang the manager when I got home and he hoped it would be in by Thursday.


Spent rest of day dealing with Christmas cards and presents which I've absolutely got to get in the post tomorrow.

Monday

Was out early, 7.30 for the Daily Office.  I am not sure I can keep this up after Advent, it takes quite a bit of effort to force myself out of bed, into my clothes and into the car.  I'm glad when I get there though.


Spent a lot of the morning making phone calls to England and sending e-mails.


At 1.30 I set off for the Early Childhood Learning Centre, to read to the little dears.  It seems a lot longer than a month when I was on my way there and ran into all sorts of distributor problems with the car.


The book I took along was about 4 animals; a cat, donkey, dog and rooster  (at first I was calling the rooster a chicken until a little lad said it looked more like a rooster.  thinking of all the farms and ranches around Shawnee it comes as no surprise to me that these children might know more about farm animals than I do).  Anyway, to paraphrase - these animals are all sad and crying, no one loves them, they have nowhere to go, so they team up together until they come to a house and look in the window and there are three baddies sitting at a table with a pot of tea.  I only know they were baddies because they ran away when they saw the animals at the window, personally I wondered why they were made to look like Mexicans.  Some of the children said innocently, "they are having tea".   So....the animals move into the house and take up squatters' rights (my words) and it all ends happily ever after.


Some of the children came and hugged me when I'd finished, which was sweet.



It's brilliantly sunny here but I'd like it a bit warmer.  I can't complain though, up in the north mid west it is brutal.  20" of snow brought down the roof of a football stadium in Minnesota which was a big deal because the Vikings (a major team) were all set to play the New York Giants (another major team) so the fact these teams couldn't play was more news than the snow.


I am going out this evening to sleep overnight at Emmanuel as we are hosting the Family Promise programme this week.  Just packed my duvet, toys and milk into the car.

Sunday - Third in Advent

The Advent Wreath.  There is one Sunday in Advent - the 3rd - and one in Lent - the 4th - which is called Rose Sunday, when the vestments and altar frontals are changed from purple to rose.  I think it is just an Episcopal thing, I don't remember it at home.  And the 4th in Lent at home is Mothering Sunday, which they don't have here. At least it is not a church festival here, it seems to be a purely secular thing they have sometime in May.


I got to church in time for the 10.30 service, I missed the adult Sunday school at 9.15,  I was just too tired to get up in time.


I keep going out to Walmart to see if they have any goats milk in yet, I'm completely out of it fresh, although I can get it tinned.  Larry, the chaplain, gave me the telephone number of a friend of his who keeps goats at Tecumseh, I'll have to give him a ring.


Afterwards picked up some medium rare steak from the Golden Corral.    They've changed their special menu from Comfort Food to Pan Seared Seafood, I'll probably try that out later in the week.


This evening I went out again to University Baptist, I think of all the baptist churches I've tried I like this the best, although the people at the one I was going to were extremely friendly and welcoming, so I might still drop by there from time to time to visit with them.  University Baptist seem to have quite a good programme going in December, and today was a mission Sunday.  Two missionaries they support in China  were talking this evening.  Afterwards I told them about the wonderful Christmas service I attended once at the underground church in China. 

Saturday 11 December

Full of good intentions I resolved that this morning I would get up, go to the 7.30 Daily Office and then to Breakfast on Broadway, at Emmanuel at 8.   But like a lot of my good intentions they fell by the wayside and I went back to bed.  I was actually reading a bit of Harry Potter which Pattisue had lent me so that I would be a bit clued up by the time I saw the latest film at 9.30 this morning.


I haven't been to the Saturday morning cinema since I was a child,  I remember going to the Classic Cinema in south Croydon with my cousins.  As I recall the films were all black and white back in them days.  My children were all at school on Saturday mornings so I don't  know if they existed in their day, or had been overtaken by Saturday morning television.  But it is the practice here in Shawnee for large corporations - or in our case the hospital - to take over the cinemas for their staff, and throw in free popcorn and drinks.  Knowing that the drink and popcorn would be free, I didn't bother to try and smuggle in my own (hot) drink, but someone still wanted to take it away from me, until I pointed out the absurdity of confiscating it when everything on the concession stands was free.  We had a choice of about 4 cinemas in the complex. 


I enjoyed the film but I have got a lot of reading to do before I know what it was about, and the book has got over 700 pages.  It was lunch time when we came out and Pattisue and I went to lunch at the Cracker Barrel Country Store and Restaurant.  


Spent rest of day dozing and crocheting.

THURSDAY

Out to pick up the donuts from Tecumseh for Kiwanis.   The speaker was a pharmacist from one of the town's independent pharmacies, her talk was focused on medications.  A lot of her advice was  common sense though.


I got back home at 10  and my early start caught up with me, I crashed out and went back to sleep until just before noon.  Jumped up quickly  and got to church just in time for Thursday Communion.  Afterwards we went to a Mexican restaurant which was very nice.  Patrons are always served with complimentary salsas and doritos, Fr Clark however ordered his 'special' salsa.  Sitting opposite him I thought I'd try it, and it is the last time I help myself to something someone else has ordered in a Mexican restaurant, it was hot, hot, hot.  


Friday
Getting up for the Daily Office at 7.30am means I am out and about much earlier than I normally would be, pushing my cart round Walmart shortly after 8.   But I do look back and wonder what on earth I've done all day.


I went to the hospital, it's Larry's day off and Pattisue wasn't well so I had extra patients to see.  


The cat in the box on the back porch has taken to curling up on a chair on the front during the day.  Several times Bubbles has meowed to go out but when I open the door she stares at the cat and comes back in again.  I could never bring another cat into the house, she'd hate that if she is not prepared to share a porch.

Looks a bit sad doesn't it.  Probably wonders why the snooty cat in the warm house keeps coming out to give it the evil eye.
I took some photos this evening of my decorations, such as they are, in the computer room. Mark and Mary left me a very nice poinsettia on the porch while I was out this afternoon and I've put it on my desk.

 The candy canes at Christmas are a tradition here. They were first made in Germany 400 years ago and brought over here. I was going to stick them  in the wreath but they disappeared into the tinsel, so put them on the cork boards I use for messages.

Wednesday

There was actually a film of ice on the car this morning. When the temps were in triple digits I had to run the air conditioning for about 20 minutes before I got in the car, so this morning I ran the heating, and it was lovely after 20 minutes.  I don't know why I haven't done that before.


When I arrived at the hospital there was a message from Larry on the board, he'd had a very eventful night in ER and gone home exhausted.  A car full of teenagers drove through a STOP sign, three of them were killed and the fourth, the driver, is in bad shape.  And there were two cardiac arrests and an attempted suicide.  I finished my round before Pattisue and decided to go round ICU to see how the families of last night's dramas were faring.   Larry arrived as I was about to leave the office and we went up together.  We arrived on the floor just as one of the cardiac arrest patients died so we had our hands full ministering to all the grieving family members who were with him.    And the distressed family of the attempted suicide.


The poinsettias I bought for the front porch looked a little wilted and it occurred to me that they may not like the cold weather so brought them inside, and they seem to have perked up a little.   I'll look for some fake ones in the dollar store to put out there.  They look nice in the computer room,    I'd bought candy canes to put in a green tinsel wreath on the wall but they disappeared into the wreath so I have put them all over the cork boards on the wall which I usually use to stick memos and things on.


I don't know how I seem to have become drawn into animal welfare.  After telling Rosalyn how guilty I felt about the kitten I'd turned away, who was beseeching me to take it in - running round me, banging on the car windscreen when I got in the car - she e-mailed me with details of one of the animal welfare centres in town, SPAR - Saving Pets at Risk.  She thought I might like to volunteer there, or if not at least it would be useful to have contacts in case of any other strays turning up on my porch.   Speaking of which.  I set up a cardboard box last night, under the bench on the back porch, and put an old bath mat in it, and - I think it was the kitten but she didn't run around me when I appeared - settled down there.  She was gone in the morning but I've just looked out and she's/its bedded down there for the night.  I'll toss it a bit of Bubbles' dried cat food in a minute.  I wondered if another cat would settle in if I put another cardboard box under the bench.  I'll end up with a cardboard city of homeless cats out there, and a reputation of being an eccentric old woman.

Pearl Harbour Day

The weather is turning wintry.  It wasn't too bad when I went out early this morning, it got a bit overcast during the day and I saw the temperature was 50 as I drove through town.  When I went out this evening though there was some light sleet on the car.


I went to the gospel singing at the Senior Centre, and told the story of the hymn 'Guide Me O Thy Great Jehovah'.


Afterwards on to the monthly lunch with the church leadership, which was nice.  I am not sure they will continue meeting after Fr Clark leaves.  Perhaps the new incumbent will need to be introduced to the idea.


This evening I went to the movies with Bruce and Rosalyn, it was an enjoyable, light comedy.

I'd told Rosalyn the other day about the kitten practically begging me to take her in, and banging on the car windscreen - anyway, coming out of the cinema I was saying that I've since felt guilty about it because it hasn't been around, and maybe that was its only chance of freedom.  But what is now making it worse is that Sharon has just got a cat from a rescue centre, I'm wailing to Rosalyn "if I'd only known she wanted a cat I'd have got that kitten into the cat carrier somehow and given it a good home".   Rosalyn told me to be glad for the cat Sharon has got, that it's in a good home.  And she suggested I offer my services to one of the three animal rescue centres in the town.

2nd in Advent

I woke up too tired for the adult Sunday school but made it to the 10.30 Service which was Lessons and Carols which we usually have in an evening, by candlelight, at home, but the Episcopal Church doesn't do evening services.


Carols were first sung thousands of years ago by the pagans at the Winter Solstice ('carols' means dance or song of praise) and Christians took over the pagan Winter Solstice Celebration to make it Christmas, creating Christian carols instead of pagan ones.   By the 13th century carols had almost disappeared  until in 1223 St Francis of Assisi started nativity plays in Italy.  The people in the plays sang songs telling the story as the play developed and these new carols spread throughout Europe.


I had lunch at the church, they were serving up last night's leftovers, although I think the smoked brisket was left over, and frozen, from another occasion.  It was very nice but this is cattle country, I guess that is why the beef is good.


I had a nap this afternoon.  It occurred to me that because my dental health is not too good it might be affecting my general health, making me feel a bit below par, my dentist here tried to warn me it would.  I will get it fixed, perhaps in the New Year, they keep ringing to ask if I'm ready to make an appointment.


This evening I went to University Baptist church for the Hanging of their Green, it was lovely and very well organised.  There were those who processed with all the poinsettias, others hung garlands and wreaths, the children put the ornaments (felt ones of Christian symbols) on the tree, and everyone knew what they were doing.

Pattisue by the tree.

Saturday

I finally had enough energy this morning to take down the autumn decorations - although I left some bright flowers in vases - and think about decorating for Christmas.  I concentrated though on the computer room for a change, as I spend quite a lot of time in there.  I'll post the pictures tomorrow.


I went out in the afternoon for a few things I needed then had to get ready for Fr Clark's retirement party, SIGH.  He is going to be greatly missed.   There was a lot of food and wine, then different members of the church gave a short speech on different aspects of his ministry.

Fr. Clark.  Members of the Altar Guild gave him a present.  So did the Vestry.  The church members attached money to the Christmas tree so that he  could buy want he wanted with it.

A series of photos of him during his time at Emmanuel were projected on to a screen.


I just stayed about an hour then went home as Pattisue was picking me up to go to OBU for the Hanging of the Green, and the Messiah.
The Messiah was really, really lovely.   When it was originally played George II stood for the Hallelujah chorus, no one knows why, and lots of people have theories, but people still stand today for it.

 Before the concert, in the chapel of OBU.  The choir filed on to the stage from both sides, there was a lot of them.  Then large green wreaths were hung on either side of the stage.

Pattisue came in for a cup of coffee when she dropped me off, and  the end of an Oklahoma University football game was on television, she was listening to it on the car radio so I turned the television on when she came in.   She is very keen on football and we watched the last half hour or so of the game, she tried to explain it to me, but it is very, very complicated.

Friday

Had lunch at the hospital with Pattisue then we did the two floors together.  Someone had been in earlier and gone round ICU.  Pattisue was talking about something called the 'Hanging of the Green' at the Baptist University where she worked.  It is on Saturday evening in the University's chapel and specially nominated students file in and decorate the chapel, then there is a performance of the 'Messiah'.  So we arranged to go together.


Weather still lovely, I saw it was 70 on one of the thermometers as I went through town.  I think it is forecast to get cold in the next few days though.


I decided today to go to the monastery at Beaumont in Texas for Christmas, where I went last year.  I called Brother Michael and my ID obviously showed up on his cell phone, he was very friendly and welcoming, said he'd been thinking of me all the week and was just intending to contact me to see if I wanted to go there for Christmas, which was nice. He said his mother would be there; I think she is English or German, I'll look forward to meeting her and seeing again the nice people from last year.   I said I was thinking of renting a car, mine is fine for running round Oklahoma but I don't like to venture any further in it. He thought I should fly to Beaumont, but I told him I don't travel light, I need a car for my books and toys and goats milk (and my laptop, hot water bottle, silk duvet, extra pillows etc.)


I went to a Hertz agent in Shawnee and I've reserved the car, I think it is a Toyota Camry.  I was pleased they said they would accept my UK driving licence, told me they were a world wide organisation so of course they would (I thought I'd have to swot up the Oklahoma highway code in the next few days to get an Oklahoma licence).  Also pleased that unlike other car rental firms in Shawnee I could take it outside the state, but not to Canada or Mexico.  I said they needn't worry, Canada is too cold and Mexico too violent.  So I am organised for Christmas.


Finally.....top names for children this year have been announced.  Sophia, Aidan (so far so good, they're nice) then they degenerate to Sting and Quinn (I can see the facetious hospital chaplains a few years down the road knocking on their hospital doors, wondering what sex they are).  And Bristol is another one.  Sarah Palin in her programme on Alaska said she and Todd liked to go to Bristol Bay, that's why they called their daughter Bristol.  She didn't enlighten us on the equally wacky names of her other children - Track, Trigg, Willow, Piper.

Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday
Bright day again, I think it was nearly 70.  Went to the hospital, Larry was there but Pattisue had an appointment in OK City so I went round both floors after I had lunch with Larry.

I'm getting there with my Christmas decorations on the front porch.  Bought a couple of poinsettias today.  I might see if there is a wreath for the door in the dollar store.


One of next door's kittens is desperately trying to put herself up for adoption.  She was there on my porch most of the day, every time I went out she was under my feet, jumping up at me.  When I opened the door to go out this evening she was on the mat.  She followed me to the car, jumped on the bonnet and was clawing at the windscreen.  Sharon asked me just how many hints did I need.  When I got back I couldn't see her and assumed she'd gone home, but when I let myself inside and looked down she was there in my hallway, running round my feet, she must have tucked herself under my long skirt.  And she definitely didn't want to go out, I had to pick her up and carry her out.


This morning, Thursday, there is no sign of her.  I think Donna might be keeping her indoors, maybe that is what she is running away from. Perhaps like Bubbles she is looking for a quiet place, not one with multiple cats and three dogs.   


I have a bench on the back porch, I turned a box on end and put it underneath, with an old bath mat inside.  And if the kitten is out there I'll toss it the dried cat food Bubbles leaves at the bottom of the dish and never deigns to eat.  BUT THAT'S IT.  I am not taking responsibility for it.


This evening went to meal at Emmanuel, and Fr Clark's critique of the book 'Evolution of God'. 


Thursday
Went to Communion this morning.  Counting down the days Fr Clark has left with us.   Then eight of us had a very nice lunch together at Paul's Place, a steak house.  We were originally six but bumped into Rosalyn and Bruce in the parking lot, they were very pleased to join us and we were happy to have them.