MLK Weekend 2024 - Saturday

Saturday, January 13, 2024

MLK weekend is here. Enjoying not having anyplace to be but home. It's cold and there's a light coating of snow on the ground. Dale and I are lounging on the couch and Sylvester is on Dale's lap. It's very cozy in here. We're contemplating shoveling the snow but we're not moving too fast to make that happen.

It's cold. Dale and I just got in from shoveling the little bit of snow that's on the ground. Glad we're not just south of us in Iowa which is also frigid but getting HAMMERED with snow. 

For us it's notable because we've been way warmer than usual this season and we haven't had enough snow at any given time to shovel any more that what we got overnight. We've been spoiled but we're bracing ourselves. Who knows when but the monster snowstorm WILL come.

I've come to regard MLK weekend as something of an extension of winter break. As a teacher I've always gotten a 2 week break around the holidays. Every other teacher I talk to says the two week mark is just when they feel they're starting to really relax. That's the case for me with summer break too. Anyway, the two weeks I've been back in school have been productive albeit tiring. There's some good stuff going on at work but I'll just leave that there for now as I need to give myself a mental break from thinking and talking about my job. 

I'm sitting down now with a Fresca and listening to Christmas with Ed Ames, one of my favorite Christmas albums from childhood. Hearing these songs brings me right back to the living room in the house on Stevens at Christmastime. 

We had Fran, Charlie, and Christine from Gethsemane over for dinner tonight and it was really delightful seeing all of them. Dale and I made a lasagna that went over very well. Fran brought over lychee martinis which she's been telling me about for a while. I loved 'em. They're one part lime rum, 1 part lemon run, 1 part vanilla rum, and 1 part lychee liqueur. 

                 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - Christmas Eve Service

Friday, December 24, 2021

Can't believe it was two years ago we went to a Christmas Eve service. Covid got in the way. It's the first time I've been to any church service since then. 

We went to the 4 pm service at St. Luke's and St. James over on Colfax Avenue. Dale said this particular church has only been back in-person since this past October.

It was a sweet service with a Christmas pageant which made me remember all the Christmas Eve pageants at Gethsemane. I really miss the place. Dale and I both mentioned afterward that it was nice to be back in church. 

The Fifth Day of Christmas Part 4 - Fran and Charlie's

Sunday, December 29, 2019

House-church service with some of the former members of Gethsemane at Fran and Charlie's house tonight. Cindi celebrated the service and afterward we ate dinner. It was great to catch up with folks. 

Christmas Eve 2019 - Service

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Gethsemane closed about a month ago and for the first time in 20 years Dale and I are without a church home. We have both noted the absence especially for the holiday season. We decided to attend Christmas Eve service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church which is just up the road from us.

We left the house at 3 p.m. for the 3:30 service and listened to the familiar and friendly voice of Mindy Ratner on MPR as we made the short drive to the church. It's a good thing we left when we did because when we arrived the sanctuary was nearly at capacity. We found a mini-pew just big enough for the two of us in the back rear corner. 

The service was lovely. Coming from a small struggling church that just closed it was energizing to be in a well attended church big enough to support a good sized cherub choir in addition to a youth choir. I'm sure they have an adult choir as well.

Pre-Holiday Season 2019 - Farewell Gethsemane

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The church we've belonged to for the last 20 years is closing and held its last service today. 

We walked through the doors for mass on the 2nd Sunday of Advent in 1999.

Gethsemane has been a wonderful spiritual home for us. And we will miss the place immensely. 

It'll be the first time in all of these years we haven't had a church of our own to help guide us in our wandering through Advent and celebrate Christmas. 

Holiday Season 2018: Martinmas Day - Church, Brunch, and Sasha

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Dale and I both slept like rocks last night. I think I slept for 11 hours. Church this morning at Gethsemane. We sang a couple of Thanksgiving-type hymns; very appropriate for Martinmas. 

After church Dale and I stopped by the Normandy Inn for brunch. We each ordered the corned beef hash which was delicious. Dale had coffee but I indulged in a couple of Bloody Mary's. 

There was a toddler there named Sasha who was really quite adorable. The place wasn't busy and she was taken on a few walks around the restaurant with her parents but also the bartender. She looked so enthused and excited to be exploring her world. Her parents mentioned something about taking her to the Children's Museum today. Based on her energy level and need to be out and about I'd say she's up for it. 

Christmas Eve 2017 - Church Service

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Our Christmas Eve church service was lovely. The singing of carols beautiful. Dale and I were 2 of the 3 Kings in the Christmas pageant.  Here I am with my buddy Emma who played the lead angel:

After the service there was a visit from St. Nicholas. He passed out bags of treats to the kids. I took advantage of getting a photo op with him. Took 50+ Christmases to finally see him on Christmas Eve but I guess good things come to those who wait!!

Advent 2017 - Advent 4

Occasionally Advent 4 falls on Christmas Eve. Double church duty today.

Emma joyfully greeted me at church this morning and informed me they had found a rainbow tiara for me to wear in the Christmas pageant that will be performed during the Christmas Eve service tonight.  I didn't even know I was in it!! Well, if I get to wear a rainbow tiara, I'M IN!!!

After the service I helped set the candles out for the service tonight. I think I do pretty good work. However, I told everyone involved that if anyone else asks who was responsible for the candles to tell them that they have no idea because this is SO not about me. Tonight it's all about the baby Jesus.
:-)

Lot's of other folks helped set stuff up too.

Advent 2017 - Table Prayer

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Sang Table Prayer: The Winter Name of God with Cindi at Gethsemane this morning for the 3rd Sunday of Advent. We both sounded pretty good if I do say so myself.

Christmastide 2016/2017 - Summary

Written on Christmas Eve Day 2016:

It's been a hard Christmas season. It's an understatement to say the election this fall knocked me on my ass. The outcome has continued to affect my mood as we moved through Advent and approached Christmas which to me has always been accompanied by feelings of comfort and joy. However, this year I've had a sense of foreboding as we reach Christmas and anticipate the New Year. 

A man has been elected who makes thoughtless statements, often through tweets none-the-less, and many times contradicts what he says. If he doesn't contradict himself then those closest to him sometimes do. Recently he's tweeted very cavalierly that he wants to encourage a nuclear arms race. His statements about various minority groups have given me pause. Then there are his cabinet appointments as well. 

On top of all this it's expected to rain on Christmas Day. Rain. On Xmas Day. In Minnesota. I don't remember when it's ever done that. Reason for concern? I think so.

Written on New Year's Eve Day 2016:

I'm sitting at Stogies on Grand smoking my final cigar of 2016. I'm looking over what I last wrote on Christmas Eve and I'm feeling a lot better. I'm still experiencing feeling of trepidation regarding what's coming in to Washingtonbut I'm starting to look at all of it as an opportunity for change although I believe there's going to be pain along the way. I had allowed myself to not think about all of it and to try to get through vacation. By Xmas Eve Day I couldn't block it out any longer. As I moved through the rest of the day, I believe the promise of Christmas began to unfold in a way it never had before for me. I found myself surprised like the Grinch in Dr. Seuss' book. The joy of the holiday showed up just the same. I dropped Dale off at Church early so he could rehearse for the Christmas Eve service. Around 6 p.m. I walked around a deserted downtown and was struck by the quiet. Once in a while someone would walk by, usually in the distance. It didn't feel much like Christmas as I walked through the grey desolation around me. Eventually though, I was taken over by a feeling of peace and hopefully anticipation as I looked forward to the Christmas Eve service.

When I walked into the church, the light and warmth and sight of people severely contrasted with the cold and grey desolation of the outside world. Emma B. greeted me with a hug and reminded me I was to play one of the three kings in the Xmas pageant which I had completely forgotten about. It turned out to be an informal yet lovely service. I really felt like I was surrounded by an island of light in the darkness considering my walk before the service. No, it was not lost on me how that feeling I was feeling may have been felt by a couple of displace Palestinians who were expecting a child. I want to believe they felt the feelings of comfort and hope on their Christmas Eve just as I did that night. 

Christmas Eve 2016 - Service

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Lovely Christmas Eve service at Gethsemane. Dale sang in the choir and I was one of the three kings in the Christmas Pageant. Pictured with me is Mark, one of the other kings. I think we did a great job.  My first Christmas pageant EVER!

Holiday Season 2016 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Sang the Winter Name of God by Michael Joncas at church with Cindi. It went very well if I do say so myself. 

Christmas Season 2015/2016 - Manger Scene at Church

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Christmas Eve 2014 - Church

I didn't sing this year. Dale was to sing at the 7:00 pm service. He was feeling spotty and wasn't sure he would make it. He decided at the last minute to go through with it. Mom picked me up and we attended  the service at Gethsemane together. My little buddy, Emma, was excited for me to watch her dance at the beginning of the service. She did a great job. I remember looking  over at Mom while  singing silent night. She was holding a candle. It was so wonderful looking at her beautiful face and hearing her beautiful voice singing that beautiful carol.

Twelfth Night 2014 - Three Kings

The 3 Kings finally made it to the manger scene at church today.

Christmas Eve 2013 - Joe & Dale

Dale and I both sang with the traditional choir for the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve service.  Here we are after the service looking very angelic in our choir robes.

Christmas Eve 2013 - Gift

I sing with Gethsemane's contemporary music ensemble. Our director, Cindi, gave us this lovely gift as a thank you for our work this year.

Holiday Season 2013 - Choir Rehearsal

Tonight Dale and I had rehearsal for tomorrow's midnight mass. Actually carols will start at 10:00 p.m. and the service will start at 10:30. The above photo was taken from the high altar at Gethsemane Episcopal Church and shows the view looking out into the sanctuary.

Advent 2013 - Greening of Gethsemane 4

A sea of poinsettias in the sanctuary just waiting to be set out. I must say the place looked lovely by the time we were done with it. Preparation fuels anticipation.

Advent 2013 - Greening of Gethsemane 3

I took this photo from up on a ladder after hanging a wreath. As Father Theo looked on he jokingly accused me a taking a selfie with said wreath. Little does he know I'm not that self-involved. Dale and Cindi look on.