Be this Ramblings “Lector” over morning Coffee

Happy Saturday. For me it’s a bit of a wild weekend and likewise next weekend. Which reminds me. Next weekend I’ll be participating in one of the Flying Pig races. The big full marathon (20,000 strong) will be on Sunday. I’ll be participating in one of the several offshoots next Saturday – a 5K. So, next week’s Ramblings will be on Sunday!

Easter Sunday – for me started with a sunrise service held at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. A wonderful service and message, and a beautiful sunrise. I did reflect on the fact that I seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time at the place, what with visits, history seeking, races, and now an Easter Service.

Normally we think of the Womb as life’s beginning. But on Easter Sunday listening to scripture where women arrived at Jesus’ Tomb when asked why they were there – the ‘Tomb’ had become the beginning of life. I was at the right place after all.

Coffee – Now, coffee at the ready, I’ll be quick since Jason will be over shortly. We’re picking up some stuff and since I have my senior GPS, I’ve been invited along:

I got myself a seniors’ GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my
destination, it tells me why I wanted to
go there in the first place.

Amish help – it was a headline written by a Natalie Sandoval which grabbed my attention: Amish Easily Do What Federal Government Wouldn’t Do For Months.

The article starts playing on the old ‘how many’ joke with the lines:

“How many federal employees does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Zero. They’ll just wait for the Amish I know to do it for them.”

I seems that for the past 6-months about 2,000 Amish folk from Pennsylvania have, quietly, been rebuilding the town of Chimney Rock, NC, following devastation by Hurricane Helene. These are Amish from the Great Needs Trust. Six months straight ….. rebuilding the town’s homes, businesses, and bridges.

I understand that many other groups have also been involved, from Florida to my state of Ohio, but was unaware of the work this Amish community was performing.

To me this is what America is all about, the roll up your sleeves, pitch in, and get it done attitude. This day and age, all too often, it’s much whine, wail, and gripe.

Actually, if recollection is correct the ‘can do’ attitude dates back big time to the great earthquake of April 18, 1906 in San Francisco which killed 3,000 people and devastated the city. By the time trains with Federal help had been assembled and rumbled into town, rebuilding was already well underway.

What Happens When – you wake up at 1:45 in the morning. No, not a ‘privy’ call, but because moving blue and red lights are playing on the ceiling.

I have no idea how long that had been going on, all I know is that both Marcia and I got up to grab a front and center seat in the sunroom. The corner of ‘Chaos and Mayhem’ was living up to its well-deserved reputation.

Across the street were police, fire, and a smaller well-lit unmarked vehicle with two inspector types. In the mix there sat an OK looking sedan with four open doors as well as open trunk and hood. Many flashlights were playing all over the thing and through bushes and neighboring houses. All of this ‘dance’ was performed in total silence.

Approaching 2:30 a flat-bed tow truck joined the party and began to load the car-of-interest. Ten minutes later all that remained was a newly created parking spot. Marcia and I returned to bed and settled in for a more peaceful rest. And so, it goes here in the corner of …………

Senior Shopping – has become easier and easier. For the past year Marcia has performed the ‘chore’ of grocery shopping online. In part because of her difficulty getting about and in part because she really doesn’t trust me. A lack of trust due to my love for impulse buying and love for exploring what I call; “the exotic”.

This week I watched as she deftly clicked on the site’s presentation of the common stuff she orders. Clicked on coupons she wanted to use. And easily searched out new or different products. Twenty minutes at most and she had the order completed. A bit of a reflection on the best time for Kroger to deliver (she settled for 9:00 – 10:00 am yesterday) and yesterday at exactly 9:01 the truck rolled up (I checked).

Were Marcia to gain access to the ‘winged’ sandals worn by the Roman god Mars, I don’t believe she’d return to the actual chore of cart pushing.

Without Comment – Just a simple chart for you to reflect on. It’s the change in Carbon Emissions (for those who find that study important) by time and by country/region. It’s interesting and worth more than a quick glance.

Now best get ready for Jason to pop on over. Last evening we all gathered at the nearby neighborhood favorite, Gordo’s pub-&-grill for dinner with Jason – who had a birthday mid-week. It was a bit of a mix since Tevita was in Philadelphia for work and Vili was on Andros Island in the Bahamas with his 8th grade class. Nevertheless, we feasted. As you can readily see, it’s the kind of feast which should not be held any more than once a month.

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Which of these jobs have NOT disappeared (as a teenager I actually worked as a ‘pinsetter’)

1) “Leech Collector ”
2) “Gandy Dancer”
3) “Phrenologists”
4) “Linotype operator”
5) “ice cutter”
6) “pinsetter”
7) “Lamplighter”
8) “Lector”
9) “Soda Jerk”