seven years ... and a summer with confetti ....

july marks the start of my seventh year in ministry with the united methodist church of merced.  and i'm not itching to leave by any means.  while the economy continues to play havoc, particularly in california and merced in particular, our congregation continues to be invested in ministry, and generous in service.

we are in the midst of a heat wave...and, ya know, you just have to get through it.  i entered into a program with pg&e that cycles my electrical power during the summer.  usually i don't notice, but i did yesterday ... it probably would have been a good time to do something elsewhere, but, alas, i wasn't thinking! 

so, instead, i went outside (ok, you can see how i wasn't thinking) and took pictures -- of my home; seven years old to me, and i still like it!  perhaps not the wisest decision i've ever made in my life, but who knew the year i purchased my first home would have been the year the we began an economy crisis?!

alas, all i can say is that i am in better shape than many people, and things are going well.  in fact, i am delighted to return home each time to a reception from my crape myrtle ... and how many people can say that?!  besides being in full bloom in the heat of the summer, this beauty drops little 'peddles' that look like confetti to me, so i get 'rained upon' when i drive into my drive way...sometimes i even take my top down (from my convertible, that is) and pretend i'm in a parade...  ok, i'm really not that crazy, but ya know, after a long day, it's fun to just enjoy and relax.  and, one of the things i've never done since i've lived here is sweep up that 'confetti'...it blows into my grass and flowerbeds, and i figure, 'it's natural, and it must work like good compost'.  in other words, i don't worry about it; one less issue of stress!

when i was growing up, we had a palm tree in front of the house, and it was forever dropping palm frowns; daily, it seemed like.  it was my job to always keep the grass neat and tidy.  now, i figure my job is not to stress out, and i'm more than happy to follow 'the doctor's orders'!

and so here is the full, front view of the house; a nice place to come home to!

speaking of doctor's orders, i do what to share two events coming up in my life.  i'll be away next week to attend jurisdictional conference in san diego; this event happens every four years, usually including the election of a bishop (aka a united methodist ceo).  but this year, as the denomination begins to cut down on expenses, we will only be celebrating the retirement of one of our bishops. 

i'll be able to witness the strategy that western united methodist churches will take as we explore over the years ahead what it means to have open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

this california native will also explore a part of the state i've never been to before, as well as take a tour of the california-mexican border and hear the latest on immigration.  i'll also take a few days to enjoy the sights of southern california before returning home to do 'what the doctor ordered'. 

now that i've reached the ripe old age of 'past 50', i get to experience my first colonoscopy!  so, i may not return to my blog for a couple of weeks.  and that is something that has changed in my life...i've always made sure i've gotten all of my work done.  and doing a 'blog' became another 'got to have it done on tuesday or else' event.  i'm taking some of the pressure off of me; a good thing, i believe, and i highly recommend it!  it is not that i'm letting things slide; just being more intentional in making decisions that are beneficial and wholesome.  now, if i neglect to put a sermon together . . . . you might want to remind me of my priorities!  but for now, i'll just relish a bit more confetti, if you please!

two weeks later . . . .

since last i wrote . . . . two weeks later since the last time i shared ponderings on my blog . . . . i've been to annual conference in sacramento (a yearly event, usually around father's day) and enjoyed a 'stay'-cation in and around home.

unable to gather for either mother's day or father's day, kristen (and ben) met her mother and i for dinner (and guess who were the ones to pay...well, once the parents, always the parents, no?!)  we met at a restaurant called 'the dead fish', right on the water; wonderful.  and this is the picture i got for father's day.  ben took it of kristen, somewhere; he'd found a swing he thought she might enjoy . . . .

annual conference was per usual, with some exciting things and some less-than-exciting things.  i managed to get a doctor's appointment in . . . . and then i went on stay-cation; a vacation where there aren't any plans; wake when i want, go see a movie, read, exercise, water and eat; the usual things.

one of the movies i saw was 'people like us'.  a feel-good movie, worth a date-nite!  what's a date-nite?  well, not that i did this, but include a meal and someone to share the event with....ok, go whole-hog!  go out afterwards, even!

the picture to the left has nothing what-so-ever to do with the movie 'people like us'.  this is a picture of a tree in golden gate park, san francisco.  after having a quick trip to the foot-hills and a visit to amador city, i was in the mood to visit the area where i grew up.  so, heading out of the (hot) valley onto the coast was a fun time...and driving in my convertible is even better!

one of the adventures i was yearning to do was visit the japanese tea garden; such a peaceful place.  but, i advise staying away on a saturday, where it is less than peaceful.  i did meet a friend there to enjoy the day, and ran into someone i knew -- how often do you go someplace and run into someone you know?!

this is a picture of something in the garden.  sometimes i just snap a photo, and if it isn't out-of-focus, i keep it!  i just loving having a smart phone where you get to take a picture without lugging around a camera.  it isn't the best picture; it won't win the upcoming costco photo contest.  but, it is a reminder of a place i remembered and got a chance to visit again.

the fun thing about a stay-cation is the opportunity to be spontaneous.  with gas prices fairly low (ok, the mid-$3.00 range is pretty reasonable right now -- can i get an amen!)  you can rest in your own bed, eat breakfast at home (after your daily walk for healthy purposes) and not be pressured by the phone; you can turn your smart phone to vibrate, and enjoy!

the other two movies i saw.  one is 'brave'.  ok, this is a 'rent-a-kid' film, if you don't have one of your own handy.  invest in the large popcorn that gives you a free re-fill...ok, we won't share that the cost of the movie (now a matinee at $8) is cheaper than popcorn and a beverage.  who knew we'd spend more one eating than seeing?!  i usually do not eat/drink at the movies, but this might be the time to just 'do it', as the saying goes. 

(note to self; plan to walk further when eating popcorn and drinking a diet coke).

if you like the blood and guts kind of action film, you'll not want to miss the historical period piece, 'abraham lincoln: vampire hunter'.  OMG!  i missed half the movie covering my eyes, but, 'cha know, i have a new appreciation for how we got through the civil war!  (please note, this is not historically accurate).

oh,  now you can see why the tea garden pictures are so soothing to me!

a word to the wise.  as you travel this summer, remember to make sure you carry your NEW debit card, and carry just a little cash with you for those 'you don't take debit card' moments.  and, as always, 'traveling mercies'.  see you in church!