’Tis the Season

Everyday there is a new pile of “asking” mail in the box. I can’t recall having received so many requests for year end gifts in past years. I think it may be more noticeable because there are multiple mailings from the same foundations, organizations, charities, etc. ¶ Monthly gifts go to those groups of most concern to me. I trust others will help fund the other worthwhile organizations. Most of them do a good job or provide a helpful ministry. Those charities who send gifts to me do not receive in return. I know it’s a ploy to generate more funds by the guilty conscience trick. One is supposed to think “this organization was kind enough to send me this gift, I’d better send them something in return.” ¶ Every day the news brings more dismay. Lately it is the teenager who killed some of his classmates with a gun purchased for him by his parents. This is unbelievable. The little town of Oxford, MI, is the post office address of the monastery where I was a novice. The monastery is in the country so the connection is tenuous, but the name, Oxford, brings back memories. Having been in the town many times, it would seem to me to be the least dangerous place on earth. May God have mercy on the souls of those who were murdered. May justice be swift and appropriate for the assassin and his parents. ¶ In this season of supposed good will, a friend received a letter from she who is governor of this state. There is not much “good will” in that letter. It is full of accusations and half-truths, and ends, of course, with a pleas for funds for her campaign chest. She claims to be a fiscal conservative. She has recently redecorated the governor’s mansion in the amount of + $60,000. She also felt the need to add a sauna which price was not figured in the preceding amount. The perennial question is “Do actions speak more loudly than words?”

¶ We’ve had a lovely, warm week. Today is gray and a bit nippy. There’s not much of a breeze, but the slightest whisper cuts right through when the temperature hovers just above freezing. ¶ My health has been very good this week. Aside from some slight swelling in my lower left leg there have been no problems. I’ve experienced this before and the doctor ordered an ultrasound. There is no problem showing in that test. I’ll bring it up again when I see the oncologist on Monday, the first day of another week of chemotherapy. There will also be blood work which usually doesn’t change from one test to another. The usual components affected by the chemo will be low but not low enough to cause the medics any concern. I do get a shot to boost my white cell count at the end of the week of chemo. ¶ When the discussion turns to the price of prescription drugs and medical care the following is offered. That single shot is billed at +$11,000.00. ¶ The errant iPad with the perpetual 6 AM alarm returned to the store on Thursday. After a through cleaning and reinstall I do not have a perpetual 6 AM alarm any more. For this I am grateful. ¶ I’m off to hear a boys’ choir this evening at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. The superb acoustic there will really be an advantage to the choir. I’ve not heard this Minnesota group before. I’m looking forward to it. ¶ Sophia and I play a game every morning following my emergence from the shower. She evidently looks forward to it because she regularly shows up for the fun. If I become involved in something before doing the morning clean up, she waits patiently for me. Well, as patiently as a cat waits for anything. She exudes the attitude of “are you ever going to take that shower so we can play, or not!”

¶ She also found it necessary to take refuge from “Roomba” the robot vacuum cleaner. She exhibits a distinct lack of trust in the machine. ¶ Thanks for reading, for thoughts and prayers, and for helping others. Bless you.