A better week!

I realize last week’s blog was kind of a downer. This week has been much better.

We’ve had quite a lot of sunshine which helps me tremendously. We’ve had temperatures up and down. Wednesday night the windchill was something like -40! I think all were grateful that choir rehearsal was cancelled that night. I know I was.  Friday was much warmer and much windier.  Today we reached +35. Next week looks like much the same pattern with warm (for us) days at the beginning and end and bitterly cold nights in the middle.

I lapsed into my semi-retired mode again this week. It was the annual pre-lenten clergy retreat in the Black Hills. Therefore, the active clergy were all there. I covered the Eucharists at the Cathedral on Wednesday and Good Shepherd on Thursday as well as our weekly Benedictine celebration on Tuesday. I made it through three different venues, each with slightly different customs, with three sets of readings upon which to comment, at three different times of day. Some weeks turn out like that. This coming week I’ll have two celebrations, again in two different places, with two sets of readings.  I am pleased that I am able to help out. Being at the altar is one thing this priest really misses.

There was lots of home time this week although most of my exercise goals were met. I find that sitting around makes me quite creaky. I need to pay attention to my watch which tells me when to stand and move around.  Some days the warning sounds and I’m way too comfortable so I just forget it.

I’ve just returned from a wonderful organ recital at Our Savior’s Lutheran. It was played by a young man who is working on his doctorate at the University of Kansas.  His nimble fingers and feet played a lot of notes!  He is quite short of stature which surprised me. From the university students I’ve observed recently being under 6’3” would be considered as below the norm in my estimation.  This observation is based on those encountered mostly at the gym so it may be somewhat skewed.  

Nothing new and exciting to report health-wise.  My thermostat sent me a text to let me know that my filter needed changing. I switched to using one especially for asthma and allergy sufferers.  It has made a difference perhaps psychologically or maybe scientifically provable.  The price is horrendous but I do feel better, especially when cooped up a lot.

Again, thanks for your thoughts, prayers, messages and constant support. Next week is blood work and an infusion so we’ll find out how things are going.