Friday Five - Black Friday

Black Friday Five
This is a "Black Friday" Five in honor of the busiest shopping day of the year:

1. Would you ever/have you ever stood in line for something--tickets, good deals on electronics, Tickle Me Elmo? Two weeks ago I stood in line to buy a collector CD (Cities 97 Sampler) of great music – buying one to keep and one to sell on eBay. And 20 years ago I stood in line to get Bruce Springsteen concert tickets. That has been it. I marvel at the people who have time to stand in line for 24 hours or more for an item. I have a one hour limit for standing in line, it seems.

2. Do you enjoy shopping as a recreational activity?
Yes, when the mood hits me. I have to have the patience to face the crowds and the right pair of shoes on my feet. My 9 year old daughter is really starting enjoy shopping so when I’m partnered with her I find shopping a great way to spend some free time.

3. Your favorite place to browse without necessarily buying anything.
Definitely a good bookstore. I can spend hours at Barnes and Noble without making a purchase.

4. Gift cards: handy gifts for the loved one who has everything, or cold impersonal symbol of all that is wrong in our culture?
I think that Gift Cards are alright. They don’t compare to a well-chosen gift or a handmade item but they do fine by me.

5. Discuss the spiritual and theological issues inherent in people coming to blows over a Playstation 3.
We bury ourselves in so many empty endeavors in this life.

Missing Viola

Viola died last week. The day began with Viola directing the choir and sitting at the piano bench and leading our Sunday worship. Then later in the day she felt the pain surge through her head, felt the sudden effects of the blood filling her skull and died.
Once again I had that unique experience that we ministers are blessed with – I had the honor to stand at her bedside with her as she was dying. We talked and we prayed. And then soon the machine was hooked up and she was breathing no more on her own.
And then suddenly the Lord whom she had so long sung about, the Lord whom she taught so many of us to sing and praise, the Lord who had walked with her all through her life was cradling Viola safe in His arms.
Once again we are left in that awkward situation – weeping here on this side while we trust and we know that Viola is singing and dancing elsewhere. May that hope and that promise begin to ease our sadness. Viola, you will be missed!

Friday Five - Giving Thanks

Friday Five: Giving Thanks
Please tell us five things or people for which you are thankful this year.

This has been such a wonderful year that it is hard to limit the list to only 5!
1. My children – you are growing up to be such wonderful people. The joy you bring me is inexpressible. You teach me, inspire me, fill our home with laughter and blow me away with your unique talents. Thank you for being you!
2. My friends – I have prayed for friends in the past and God always answers this prayer way beyond my imagination. I am thankful for my clergy friends with whom I gather each and every Tuesday, I am thankful for long-time friends and my closets friend, Michelle. Thank you for reminding me to laugh.
3. I am oh so thankful for my congregation. At other points in my ministry I have felt like my congregation has been an endurance challenge or a test from God. Right now I am blessed with a congregation that is a true community of faith. Just last week when our organist died I stood back and watched you surround her young daughters with love and care that still brings tears to my eyes. I love being a pastor at this church!
4. Our puppy. It is amazing the love and joy and teamwork that a new addition can bring to a home. Thank you, God, for our puppy.
5. This last one gets to be many: our health, our home, our wonderful community, a math teacher that has taught eldest son to love learning in a new way, my helpful parents, our travels this past year…the list could go on and on. Thank you, God, for everything!

Friday Five - Red, white and purple all over

Friday Five: What’s red and blue and purple all over?

1. Favorite red food
Many favorites: Red M & M’s, red wine (I know it literally a food), red marinara sauce on a pile of ziti pasta.

2. Tell us about the bluest body of water you've ever seen in person.
Two years ago I took my children on a cruise to Mexico. As we took the ride from Cozumel, Mexico over to Playa de Carmen, I remember thinking that I have never seen such beautiful, blue/green water as that in front of me.

3. It's movie rental time: Blue Planet, The Color Purple, or Crimson Tide?
Without a doubt, the Color Purple, Whoopie and Oprah.

4. What has you seeing red these days?
The War in Iraq, the evangelical religious right rhetoric, the tragedy in Darfur and George W. Bush.

5. What or who picks you up when you're feeling blue?
My kids and my close friend, Michelle.

Friday Five - Nothing But the Tooth

Friday Five: Nothing But the Tooth

1) The Tooth Fairy
The Tooth Fairy was real until I forgot one night. Rachel was 8 and I let her down. So I thought I could just set her down and tell her the truth. She was shocked. I was sure that she had an inkling that there wasn’t a Tooth Fairy but she was really surprised. Later that day I tucked some money away for later therapy sessions she’ll now need.

2) Flossing
Gotta do it – need to do it more often.

3) Toothpaste Brands
Did an experiment in college science class as to which brand kills the most bacteria. Ever since, I’ve been a faithful Colgate fan.

4) Orthodontia for Adults
Go for it!

5) Whitening products
I just wish I knew which ones worked the best. I see a light product on the market and wonder if it really works. I like the Crest Whitestrips.

Ghoulish Friday Five

Ghoulish Friday Five

1. Do you enjoy a good fright?
I don’t like scary movies but I enjoy the scaring that my kids provide me. They love to jump out and scream, “boo” and I can handle that.

2. Scariest movie you've ever seen:
I haven’t seen many because they scare me soooo much. The movie “Sybil” shook me up when I was a kid because the real Sybil lived nearby. I had nightmares for months. Movies about people with mental illnesses stick with me the longest, like Misery or the aforentioned, Sybil. I guess that Halloween (the first of a dozen) was one of the ickiest movies I’ve seen.

3. Bobbing for apples: choose one and discuss:
a) Nothing scary about that! Good wholesome fun. I think I’ve only bobbed for apples a few times and many years ago. There is so much water that I don’t think the germs would be too concentrated to cause problems.

4. Real-life phobia
Every now and then I’ll be laying in bed and hear a creak or a noise and wonder if I locked the doors. Then my imagination runs wild and I’ll think that it sounds like someone is walking down the hall or up the stairs.

5. Favorite "ghost story"
My sister-in-law rented an apartment above a barbershop. She kept insisting that there was a ghost. She had numerous stories about seeing the image of a man in the apartment with her. Finally someone admitted to her that the original owner of the barbershop committed suicide in the building – so she was sure that the spirit of the dead barber was her roommate.

Friday Five - Election Season

Since many yards are filled with political signs and the only commercials on television are political, the RevGal Friday Five is about ELECTIONS.

1) How old were you when you voted for the first time? I was 18 years old when I first voted. My parents were very politically active and instilled in me the importance of voting. I went to “League of Women Voter’s” meetings with my Mom many times and accompanied her to the polls every time she voted. Although they are very active democrats now, for several years my parents were members of the “Young Republicans.” While they were more conservative they brought me to a hear Richard Nixon speak when I was a child.

2) What was the contest at the top of the ballot? When I first voted it was a Presidential election with Ronald Reagan and Carter/Mondale on the top of the ballot.

3) Can you walk to your polling place? I can because my church is the polling place for our community. I even have to set up the rooms!

4) Have you ever run for public office? Never, although I would love to serve on the school board once my kids are older.

5) Have you run for office in a club or school or on a board? I did run, uncontested, as the President of the Parent Teacher Organization of my children’s elementary school. I served for one year while I was working ¾ time in my last parish.