The connection

I was looking for the connection in my religious life , and I think I found it. Memphis was nearly wiped out in a yellow fever epidemic in the 1870's. Several folks who had taken holy orders stayed behind to take care of the ill, and lost their own lives, most notably Constance and Her Companions. Constance was a member of the Community of St. Mary, which was located in Peeksill, NY. They are now located on the ground of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany's Spiritual Life Center - the connection between the Cathedral of All Saints and St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, if you excuse this blurry picture:

Oh My God, what Did I sign up for?

Well, it was a Busy couple of days. I did go out for a bike ride: and wound up In downtown Cohoes: Before Heading home: I got talked into going to a Pre-ordination class, and then I had to go to a funeral. Oh Boy, what did I ever agree to? Maybe there's still time to back out. Let's see where the Lord leads on that one. Sunday, I went out for a brief ride over to Joe Bruno Stadium: Before heading over to the Western Turnpike Golf Course for The Bishop Ball Golf Tournament, where I was a hole watcher. What is a hole watcher? See this nice Rav 4: and this Lovely hole? Well, If some one were to make a hole in one shot, I was to award them the car. I spent most of the day working on my book, which involved make sense of the lectonary reading for the 19th Sunday after Penetecost, 1954. I think I wrote some of the readings down wrong. No one won the car, which was good, as there was no service in the prayer book for awarding it: Lord, we thank thee for causing the ball to hook most fortuitously and beg thine divine mercy for wrapping the nine iron around the bush on the seventh hole.... Until next week (Hopefully, a less hetic weekend

Driving to the Catherdral

You go downhill: Through Downtown Rensselaer: across the bridge: underneath the Plaza: The Freeway ends:

From 2012-11-18

and you're in an alley:

From 2012-11-18

go past the state educatoin building:

From 2012-11-18

and you're there:

From 2012-11-18

The prayer table

One of the things I've been doing helping staff the prayer table My chruch runs every Wedenesday: We sit outside the Catherdral(we're right downtown, across the steet from the Capitol) and ask passers-by if they need prayer: Some do stop. Most just walk by or try and discretely cross the street(Yes, I saw you.) Most of the time we just talk. This is "buddy" for the day, Deacon Sue Plaske: Not a bad to spend lunch

pedal the blues away

at least that's why I tired to do :

did it work? maybe, I did try a different route and found the uncle sam bike path in Troy:

I also found cohoes falls:

I even got brave and made it up the hill to the Cathedral:

and since it was small business Saturday:

bought a tube, and got a reward:

and I did stop at the Empire state plaza:


and as far as Memphis - I've been trying to put a happier song (at least in tempo) on my mind:

well, until you listen to lyrics. I always wondered about who wrote this song, as Johnny Rivers did seem to be a southsider , I can still remember the looks Dad got when he mentioned he went to Southside HS. Turns out, it was written by Chuck Berry, Ahh, makes sense (and a Saint Louis Connection)

Keep the rubber side down until next week

happy Thanksgiving: Bah humbug!

I admit that this had not been a good thanksgiving.I had planned on flying back to Missouri from California, But I'm sitting sleepless here in Upstate new York.
The other issue is that my mother is getting to where she cannot handle her current living. we've spent the most of this month addressing the issues both present and underlying, and found a solution. Well not the best , as she is going to have to move back to Memphis, Tn. Along the way, I've found which relatives and friends I can trust and which I can't. This probably means it's going to be a while before I wind up back in Saint Louis or Cape Girardeau. And Since I hold Power of Attorney for my Mother,I signed that lease for her at he Parkview.
Right now , we are planning on moving her over New Years. I'm experiencing the "joy" of long distance estate sales (One of her friends in Missouri also has power of attorney, so that has been a help) I was planning on being back for Christmas on "Unicon" It was a ticket Continental, but I was to connect in O'hare, which really meant it united , but that flight has gone by the wayside in favor of a trip to Memphis to get her settled. I would up using my AAdvanatage miles and Flying out of Bradley airport in Connecticut, as American does serve Albany. Hopefully, I'll be able to rebook it. I had been saving my miles for such an occasion. Looks like I'll have to start over with United(tied with Southwest for #1 at alb, no Blue 737's in the land of purple planes (Memphis being FedEx's Headquarters) or Delta.
I did make it to all saint for Thanksgiving mass.

Though about riding my bike there, but need to work out parking. The Dean's, David Collum, sermon was on the topic of that a lot of folk don't have much to be thankful about this, particularity here with Hurricane Irene and Lee . He used the life of Martin Rinkart, who despite all he went through , managed to write a Thanksgiving standard:

And I did get out for a brief ride. My dad was a Pharmacist:

not much action here versus next door at target:
.
Is Albany a Dead end?

And I stopped by the cemetery:

so not a lot of fun, did take a brief break before heading in to work tomorrow. Hope you had a better one. This sonf has been running in my mind all day. I even have my blue suede shoes on