Good Friday

Go figure. Yesterday I saw people out on a golf course. Then, this morning we awoke to about an inch of snow, mostly on the grassy places. Mother nature likes to play tricks at times.

Yesterday, Dee was able to go to Contours, and I did my time on the treadmill and added a couple of other exercises in my battle against the bulge. During my run/walk session, I learned how they make the huge 50 caliber pistol at Smith and Wesson, and how Trek makes their ultra light bicycle frames. (It seems the water bottle with water in it on a bike weighs more than the whole bike.) I also began watching a "booknotes" program intervies with the author of the Ben Franklin biography I'm reading, Walter Isaacson.

Our weekly Friday trip to the lenten luncheon was again enjoyable. The service was up in the sanctuary after the luncheon. All of the local clergy participated. The preacher of the day spoke on "Restorative Grace." He used the words of Jesus, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." as his text. He focused on the nature of forgiveness and indicated that often we take forgiveness for granted, especially if we are more like the elder brother rather than like the prodigal in Jesus' parable. That is, if we've never really wandered far from God, then our awareness of the great gift forgiveness is, isn't quite as profound. He tried to remind us that no matter what level of gratitude we have, all have sinned and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is for us all.

The series was nice for me as it allowed me to get to see and meet and hear many of the local pastors as they shared their faith via a sermon. Dee seemed to enjoy going. We got to sit together, sing together and worship together each week. Nice.

Later in the day we took a drive to see where an alpaca farm is located. We'd seen the signs before, but hadn't gone to the farm. It has a gift shop where they sell articles made with the alpaca. We found out where the road came out at the other end and were surprised to discover where we were.

Our trip to the Barnes and Noble bookstore to check out the brain book revealed that they don't sell it. So I'll have to get it online via Amazon. We closed out the evening watching a movie called "Mickey Blue Eyes" with Hugh Grant et. al.

May your Easter celebrations tomorrow be spiritually nurturing. Dee and I are going to church with my mother in Monongahela. After that the three of us are going to enjoy an afternoon dinner with our friends , John and Sherron Curdie at their home in Canonsburg. Looking forward to it.