FISH

Yesterday, Thursday we took Bonz to Misty Pines ( a dog motel) to try it for the afternoon so he could get used to being left there when we go away. He stayed there for about 4 hours while we went to Ross Park Mall to make some returns and spend some time looking around. We also stopped at a nice Farmers Market in Franklin Park (Sorrels)on the way home. Bonz did alright, but I think it made him nervous. We'll do it one more time to help him get used to it. The let him play with other dogs and also have his own kennel with both inside and outside areas. Later when I walked Bonz we saw Lucy, and her owner. The owner said that he often takes Lucy to the North Park Dog Park and recommended it very highly. I'm sure it would help Bonz become more socialized with other dogs.

Today, Friday, we cleaned the house (since I work on Sat., we decided to do that today.) You never know when you might get company. We also picked up a few items at the store in anticipation of Kerri and Patrick's visit on Saturday. Then I had a "right start" meeting at the Club for new employees. I learned the club's history, it's philosophy and values and the importance of attitude in all we do. It was a good meeting. There were about 25 new employees there. Mostly college kids. I was the only one there over the age of 20 except for the presenter. He also showed an educational motivational video called FISH. It's about the work atmosphere at a Seattle Fish Company. That emphasizes 4 things: Work is Play; Be There; Make the customer's Day, and have a positive attitude. I remember seeing that video at one of the Air Force Training sessions at a conference. It's good and there is a book by that same title "Fish" that is about the Fish Company's success and work atmosphere. Good stuff. They see themsleves as being about providing an experience and not just selling fish.

I got to talk with Kerri some about her trip up tomorrow. It was a relaxed day.

A Rainy Day

On Wednesdays I usually go to Rotary and Dee goes to Contours. Yesterday at Rotary we honored some students from Mars and Pine Richland schools who came with their parents. It was interesting to hear how these high school seniors worked at various service projects during the year. It was also fascinating to learn of their aspirations for college and future careers. When asked what they'd do if they were ethe President of the USA, they each had an informed comment about where they would start. Some focused on the economy, others our international image, others on the environment and still others on renewable sources of energy so we don't rely so much on oil. It was a god meeting.

During the afternoon we just hung out since it was raianing all afternoon. Dee made this really great metloaf for dinner that was awesome! I went to the church choir rehearsal. Again attendance was sparse with several women and just two guys and we sat on the risers for practice (Note: when you sit on the risers yourknees are above you waist and it's hard to sing. And again the organist played a cd for us to sing to - quite different from what I was used to with Linda and Paula. I think the organist creates the cds so that the music can be played while she directs.)Regarding the low attendance, they said at this time of the year, people often have other things to do. We went over a couple of songs for the fall and then focused on the music for this Sunday. It has a nice calypso beat and is fun to sing. I learned that we'll sing for both the 8:30 and 11 AM services. Since Kerri is coming home, I may only do the early service and spend time with her at breakfast for the rest of the morning, before she has to head back to Bethesda. It'll be great to see her again. I'll sing this Sunday to give it a try, but I'm not sure I'll stay with it.

Horton Hears a What?

I began the day by attending the local clergy meeting. There were 6 guys there. The morning devotional focused on the question about the statement, "Our children are the future of the church." We explored what that might mean. It was noted that there are some churches with no children and they have a great ministry; there are other churches that have very few children, and tend of see themselves through the glasses of "a lack of children" rather than being able to see the good that they do inspite of that lack. It ws also noted that often after our children grow up in the local church very few actually become members or involved in that same church after college or as adults. We also shared our "highs and lows" since we last met. One of the pastors indicated he's going to try to start a satellite congregation with a contemporary service here in Adms Ridge at the clubhouse early Sunday mornings. It'll begin in July and go for 6 months to see if it's viable. Most people thought it was worth a try.

When I got back home, Dee and I did a little shopping and then I played 9 holes of golf at Rittswood. It was nice to get out and hit a few balls. It was an okay course. Nothing special, but for $16 including a cart you can't expect much. Nonetheless, it was nice.

Just about the time I got home, Dee was leaving to meet with Ryanne. She'd had a very big and long text at school and wanted to relax with sushi and invited Dee to go along to Tai Pei with her. They had a nice time. I relaxed on the deck with two new books, The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss and a leader's guide to go along with it. I thought I might use ideas from it for my "Children's Day" sermon at Penn Hills in June.

Later, when Dee came home we had some trout for dinner, went out for a little, and then came back and used the hot tub. The picnic table was a great place to lay the cover for the hot tub and was much easier than the first way we'd been doing it. Since it was dark, the hot tub light under the water was nice, and we could see the moon from the tub as well. Awesome. Dee had a slight sprain in her ankle from walking the dog earlier in the day and the hot tub seemed to provide just the right therapy for it. When we got out she said it didn't hardly hurt at all. Then we watched the end of the Penguin's game over the Flyers. Go Pens! Then after a little TV, I practiced some of my music from the Bogmeisters.

The Picnic Table is Finished!

Yesterday Dee was able to go to Contours and I resumed work on the picnic table and benches I started on Sunday. In the process I discovered that one of the pieces was made incorrectly and so I had to return the piece to Costco and exchanged it for the right piece from a different picnic table kit. After that, everything went smoothly and the table is complete and on the patio. It took me the rest of the afternoon. I was pleased to have finished it. And I even used some tools I've had for many years and never used before. In fact those tools made the job much easier. One of the nice features about this table is that the seats, although attached at one end, can swivel in and out.

Later I went to Bogmeister practice at the Pine Richland Elementary School. We practiced a lot of patriotic songs that I'd not practiced before. This was in preparation for the Memorial Day presentation of music at the Passavant Retirement Home in Zelionople. I'll know some of the songs but not all of them.

While I was at practice Dee completed quilted table runner she started at Seaview last year. Here is a picture of it too. We're just as busy as bees right now.

Mother's Day

Yesterday, Sunday, was Mother's Day. We went to two Sunday School classes at the church we've been attending. Dee went to a women's class and I went to a New Testament 101 (overview) class. Each had about 9 people in them. Dee seemed to really enjoy her class. They're using a book on the theme of "encouragement" and how to be an encouraging person. I think one of the people in her class has been helping someone with their children, and the class decided to do things to encourage her in her encouraging. Dee said they prayed together and that it was a good experience. Two in the class were in the choir and knew I'd been there last Wed. The class I went to was finishing their series of studies on the NT. Specifically the book of Revelation. The teacher read an overview of Revelation, and handouts were thorough study aids to help a person get the "gist" of the Book. There was no discussion, and no conversation. Just the teacher reading the lesson out loud.

Fortunately, I did manage to speak with one other person in the class a little before the start and after the conclusion of the class. Richard seemed like a nice guy. He said he sometimes taught the children's class as a sub and so didn't go through the whole NT with this class. Later he introduced me to another person in the hallway who is an Elder in the church. The teacher of the class I attended didn't ask who I was, nor really acknowledge that I was there. No one else in the class spoke to me. In fact, if I had not initiated the conversation with the one guy, no body would have said boo to me. Looks like they need to be coached in the area of connecting with visitors and the kind of impression they give when they don't reach out.

However, since the real purpose of the visit (in my mind) to the classes was to help Dee connect with some of the members and to feel more comfortable about the church, it was a success, as she had a good time in her class. Talked with people and walked away with a positive feeling about it.

We didn't stay for worship (I could see they were going to honor school graduates, plus recognize a confirmation class and have communion. So we opted to go elsewhere.) We went to the Baptist church across the street. I've been wanting to connect with them since it's an ABC (my denomination) church. However, when we arrived at 11 AM there were only 2 cars in the lot. We sat in the car, talked about Dee's experiences in her class for a little, and then decided not to go in.

Instead, Dee wanted to get some fabric for our computer table. So, I called my mother while Dee was in the store. Mom told me about the neighbor's cat and what a smelly nuisance it's become. She said that she called the neighbor about it, but the neighbor hung up on her. So, she called the police to see if they could do something about it. They came, talked with mom and then talked with the neighbor. The policeman said he told her it was against the law to allow pets to roam freely. He also told mom that he's speak to someone about the neighbor's garage/she that is quite an eyesore and is falling down. He said he couldn't do anything about it, but he would contact someone who could. I assure om she did the right thing. We also talked about her going to talk with some insurance people today about some checks she'd written. To see if she'd been scammed or not.

Dee and I went to the Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant for lunch. They had a Mother's Day Buffet that sounded good. It was.

Kerri called later in the day and talked with Dee about her trip to be in a wedding in NJ and the trials and tribulations of spending the weekend with the wedding party. Dee seemed happy Kerri called. I was happy to hear Kerri and Patrick got home safely. Since it rained all day, I tried to build a patio picnic table (round that seats 6) in the garage. The directions are extensive and all you need is a screwdriver, but some things didn't fit was they should, so I quite and will try again fresh today. I'm hoping to get it done before the weekend.

Time with Friends

Friday and Saturday were filled with time with friends. Dee was able to go to lunch at Alladins with a new friend from church and to continue her gym work at Contours. I had my second full day at work as a starter/ranger at Treesdale. Dee was also able to go to lunch and shopping with Kathy G. one day and together we had an enjoyable evening of dinner and cribbage with the Curdies. (We also delivered their Wii and I showed John how to set it up so they could begin enjoying it. (I know how much I appreciated Andrew Nelson's help setting it up here with our new TV when I was clueless about it. I figured there was no need for the Curdies to have to struggle with the written directions and it was easier to just show them so they could work it themselves.) Dee and I also go in some "spa" time on Friday night. It ws cool out, but the spa was very comfortable. What a nice option for a time to relax and get some hydro therapy.

My day of work went well as I was teamed up for training with Frank V. all day. He was very helpful and it was a lot of fun. I found it fascinating to listen to talk with people and to listen to others talk to each other outside my "clergy role." Although some of the people i work with know I'm a retired pastor, most other people don't, so it's interesting to observe how they process life. I noticed I work the morning shift next Saturday and that I'm no longer listed as a trainee, so I'll be on my own. As Frank said, "It's not rocket science." The morning shift will work for me that day.

I also had a long conversation with Chaplain Cushman about the military retreat that I'll help with the training during May 30-31 in Wildwood. It sounds as though we've worked out all the details about reimbersement of expenses etc. And now I just need to connect with the chaplian in charge to see what part of the session he'd want me to lead. I do want to go prepared. Also between now and them I want to work on my sermon for Penn Hills Baptist as I'll be doing that the Sunday after we return from NJ.

I'm continuting to learn the Barbershop songs. I want to feel more comfortable singing them with (some) and without (others) the sheets in front of me. Having them on the Ipod continutes to be a blessing. I learned last night that the Bogmeisters have been asked to sing at Memorial Day festivities with Passavant in Zelionople. It'll be interesting to see which parts of that I can join in with because holding up sheet music to sing in public is a no no.