No Business like Snow Business

What do you do when there is snow at the back door,

and the side door is blocked as well?

You hope the front door is clear.

Snow has run amuck in Runamuk, and all that is left to do is the shovelling. Where is global warming when you need it?

I've defrosted, so it is back to the shovel.

Later, Mushers!

Recharging Report

For someone who spent the past week "recharging" his batteries, I was excessively tired today.

I was able to make it through worship this morning, and thankfully, the kids didn't show for Sunday School. I ended up getting home in time for a three hour power nap.

With news of a massive storm coming north, I've spent the day praying for a nice 45 cm of wind-driven snow. I'm putting my jamies on inside out tonight!

Later, Mushers!

Recharging the old Battery

Ah, travel in the deep late winter to the balmy south. Well, for someone from Runamuk, Nova Scotia can be the balmy south.

A trip to New Glasgow to attend a workshop lead by John Bell (of the Iona Community) seemed to be a nice change. He spoke about introducing change to a congregation was to be a chance, the use of space in worship, and lead in the singing of a wide variety of psalms, hymns and worship songs.

It was a chance to worship within the extended body of Christ. It was a chance to leave the duties of Clerk of Session, Sunday School Teacher, Janitor, and general Dog's Body behind. It was a chance recharge to spiritual batteries. It was a chance to kick up a tsunami or two, while using the hotel's water slide!

And now, it is time to start preparing for the Annual Meeting.

Pray for me!

Later, Mushers!

Red Neck Bulbs

Dealing with the aftermath of Ma's funeral lead FCC and me back to the funeral home in Chocolate Bay for more thank you cards, and a dozen more copies of the memorials from the funeral.

As FCC spoke with the owner of the funeral home, I passed time reading whatever was on the office's counter, including a list of what I assumed to be funeral home supplies. On this list was an item called a "red neck bulb."

Apparently, this is not something used to plant someone named "Bubba".

When I asked about this item, the funeral home director led me to one of the viewing rooms and pointed out the bulbs in the lamps close to where the deceased would be laid out for the wake. From the mid-point of the bulb to the socket, the glass was red. Apparently, there are circumstances where the deceased needs special lighting, and this is what the bulb is all about.

Personally, I like my definition better, but that's life!

Later, Mushers!

A Touch of Reality III

There was a fair bit of territory to cover as we prepared for Ma's funeral.

First to Chocolate Bay to meet with the undertaker to arrange the service, select the casket, arrange for the Obituary, then it was to Railhead to meet with Pastor Faucet, Ma's minister to arrange for the viewing and funeral, and finally, back to Runamuk to take care of the critters, and a rest.

Friday we packed our good clothes, Fang, and off we were to Railhead. We arrived, had lunch with the rest of the family, and then went to Stonington Baptist for the viewings. There was an evening viewing from 2 to 4 PM, and a second from 7 to 9 PM.

I spent the rest of the evening, and part of the next morning reading over the scripture lesson I was to read during the service.

The service went well except for the way I brayed through John 14. That could have been much better, but everyone was generous enough to say that I did well.

After a quick visit with relatives next door to Ma's place, it was home for the rest of the weekend.

Later, Mushers!

A Touch of Reality II

FMIL, henceforth to be referred to as Ma, was doing well last Wednesday morning.

After a morning in which she ate a good breakfast, chatted and joked with granddaughter Little C., FCC, and cousin Piper, it was agreed to the girls would go for lunch while Ma had her lunch and a rest.

As the girls were getting their cars to go for lunch, the staff of the CCU sat Ma up for her lunch. At that point, her blood pressure crashed.

Since we had been with Ma until 2 AM, I stayed home, FCC went in to visit Ma. At noon, I felt that I should get off my backside and go join FCC for a visit with Ma. I walked into CCU just after the nurse had called home to let us know that we needed to get into the hospital ASAP.

The next while was spent trying to call FCC, her uncle (Ma's brother) Pi, FCC's brother G, and the nearest minister (on the advice of the doctor). She was to be treated as a palliative case.

I met one of Ma's grandsons in the hallway. He had decided to take the afternoon off to visit, and as the day progressed more family showed up as they were called, or had decided to visit. By early evening, everyone who could make it was by Ma's bedside.

She was comfortable, cognisant, and in good spirits until about the last hour. At 9:40 PM, she was gone, and we were left.

Later, Mushers!