Wednesday, December 31, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after eleven hours of restless sleep.😺😴👍

The current conditions and weather forecast for today.

No comment.😾🙎‍♂️❤️🩺

Mr. Mistofellees favorite place during winter.

I took a nasty fall on my way out to the veterasn's meeting last night that ended with me staying home from the meeting and Scrabble today. I'm pretty sure my right side has bruises on the back. I won't know until I can remove my sweatshirt without pain and I can take a shower. The pain has subsided a bit since last night, but it's still uncomfortable to move about. I fell into my walker ( thought it would breask my fall, it didn't. Instead it came crashing down under me and really did a number on my right side.The pain was severe before I went to bed last night, but I slept most of it off during the night. I was pleased with myself in that I managed to get off the floor and save a $225 lift assist charge from Angleton Emergency Services. I was very tempted to push that button I wear on my wrist. I was also determined not to spend another $225 on a lisft assist which provided the motivation work through the pain and get back on my feet.I will most likely spend the day taking it easy.

At2000hours. I was going to attempt staying up until midnight, but have decided to go to bed. The neighborhood fireworks have already started disturnbing the peace and quiet. Unlike many veterans I've been able to live with that noise as long as I'm not somewhere the aroma of gun powder is present. For instance I went to Episcopal night at the Astros game one year unaware that the game ends with a fireworks display. Once the noise and the aroma hit simutaneously I about lost it. Fortunately I was surrounded by friends that kept me in the present tense as a guard against a flashback episode. Hours later, however, when I crawled into bed I was sucked into memories that kept me on edge until dawn.
The aftermath of falling into the catnip scratchy wheel.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer Holy Innocents

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I woke after seven hours of restless sleep.😺😴

The curent conditions and weather forecast for today. ☀️🥶👍

Two points above range, I'm thinking it was the meal replacement drink before bedtime.🙎‍♂️😾❤️🩺

I didn't get the trash out yesterrday, so I'm exopecting the empty container was blown into the street by the wind which was ferocious all day.

I also tried to log on to my USAA account for most of the day to take advantage of a zero percent USAA Visa card so I can transfer the balance of the Bank of America Visa, nineteen percemt interest rate, and pay that off by March of 2026. Doing so would make me completely debt free. I will then have my will amended. As indicated I'm having the same results today.

Monday, December 29, 2025

For those so inclined, Morning Prayer, Holy Innocents

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I woke after nine hours of sound sleep.😴😺👍

The current conditions and weather forecast for today.☁️🥶🙎‍

♂️
Starting the week with a happy number!😺👍❤️🩺

I was not expecting such a good glucose number this morning as I had a philly steak and cheese sandwich from Dominos. The bread in a Dominos sanwich has a lot of sugar and in addition to the added sugar, then there's the carbs. 

The weather is going to be unpleasant today. The rain is supposed to be ending soon, but the wind gusts will make outdoor chores truly miserable.
At 140hours - I've spent most of the day on the ciuch, scrolling through Instagram and YouTube videos between between "naps". I was expecially attuned to Kieth Olberman's view that now that President Trump is bombing groups he has determined are persecuting innocent Christians his next target should be Putin for his attacks on the innocent men, women, and children Christians living in Ukraine.

Sunday, December 28, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after six to eight hours of restless sleep.😴😺👍

The current conditions and weather forecast.😺☀️

Starting the day with a good number!😺👍❤️🩺

Today is the last day for the tree and advent wreath in the nave.

January 6^th, Epihpany, we'll have a brief contemplative service in the nave and then take all the live greens outside for a bonfire, hot chocolate, and cookies.Atendees will light their candles from the Paschal Candle and throw the candles into the piled greens to start the bonfire. I won't be attending as I don't drive at night any longer except for Sunday mornings at 0400hrs. I can be assured hat ther're aren't any other drivers in Angleton on the roads at that hour on a Sunday morning. I leave for church at that hour stopping at McDonald's for a coffee in the parking lot at Kroger and wait there until it opens at 0600hrs. I pick up pastries for the 0700hrs cffee hour.

I didn't get home today until 1400hrs as I stopped by Linda G's house for a Euycharist visit. She's recovering from two heart procedures. She said she'll probably make it to church next week so I'll probably cross home visits off my list.

Saturday, December 27, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer, Feast of St. John

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I woke after ten hours of sound sleep.😺😴👍

The current conditions and weather forecast for the coming week.😺☀️

Eight points over the target.😾🙎‍♂️❤️🩺

My to do list for the day includes filling in the Medicare info on the ambulance bill I received for the last lift assist (November 26^th). If nothing else it will give me either a $225 pay off or delay my having to pay it for another month while the paperwork gets caught up in the wheels of bureaucracy.

I'll spend the rest of the day taking out trash, folding laundry, and scheduling online payments of the last mortgage payment, the electrtic bill, and taking up the offer from USAA to transfer the BOA balance to a 0% interest USAA card that I'll be able to pay off with the freed up mortgage paymeent. The plan is to be 100% debt free by June of 2026.

Friday, December 26, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer Feast of St. Stephen

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I woke after about six hours of sound sleep(no trips to the bathroom).😴😺👍

The current conditions and the weather forecast for today. ☀️😺👍

This number's a bit low, but I'll take it.😺❤️🩺

Dinner with the folks yesterday was enjoyable. Talking with my brother was a bit of a chore. He plants himself in front of the television and it would never occur to him to turn it off or mute the sound when he has a visitor, which is why I don't go next door on a regular basis to shout over the television. His grand daughter Sidney does a good job of looking after him, and she and her husband Jimmy take him to his appointments. A nurse come to see him three times a week and a living assistant sees him at home on alternate days to help him with hygene, dressing, making his bed, and keeping his "stuff in order". 
I told him that when he's ready I'll take him to lunch next week. We'll see how that goes. He either never remembers or when I call to ask on a particular day it never seems to be a day when the only energy he wants to expend is complaining that he doesn't get to go out, but check back with him. maybe tomorrow. I told him I called brother Bill to wish him a merry, merry. He asked about Jim's family. I told him I hadn't heard from them since Jim's funeral in 2009. 

Mr. Mistofellees, before and after he hears the shutter click in the camera app in the phone. 😺😾

I almost forgot. Garion and Grace made the announcement yesterday that Grace is pregnnant wityh a boy.They plan on naming him Gannon (presumably after his great great grandfather Cyrus Gannon) sticking with the everyone's name starts with a G. They did not take kindly to my suggestion that they name him Godzilla.

Thursday, December 25, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Christmas Day

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I woke after eight hours of sound sleep.😴😺👍

The current condition and weather forecast for today.😺☀️👍

Oh, Happy Day!😺❤️🩺

Garion, Grace, Sidney, and Jimmy will be taking Guinevere and Benjiman to see their grandmother today and then coming back to my brother's plaace for Christmas dinner. I'll probably be joining them for dinner, if it's not too late. The traditional dinner there is a standing rib roast with mashed potatoes and veggies, rutabaga for me and my brother. The Texans in the group are not fond of what they consider a Yankee vegatable - walnuts either. In general I've not run into many southerners who like walnuts.
i was only six numbers off on my Powerball ticket. An out of state winner is 1.5 billion dollars richer this morning.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after six hours of sound sleep.😴😺👍

The current conditions and the forecast for today's weather.☁️☀️😾

Oh, Happy Day!😺❤️🩺

Seen on Instagram.com/revdrcalebjlines

ast night's veteran's meeting was attended by four, including me and Eloy. John-Paul brought portions of bread pudding and orange spice cake that were left over from the gathering at the nursing home where his father ie rceiving care. He, John-Paul, is like that- looking for and taking advantage of opportunities to do thoughtful acts for others.
Scott was also at the meeting. He's been delivering for Door-Dash. He mentioned that his night vision is begining to fail him, but he needs the income so he's tried to limit his work to daylight hours.

I'm starting to "get over" YouTube for two reasons. The first reason is the advertising. Yeah, I understand the economics, but I can't help but miss the days when content was interrupted by maybe one break at the begining or end of the presentation.
The second reason is that content isn't time stamped according to original creation date, just when it's posted. The "breaking news"banner may say twenty two minutes ago, but a minute into the post one discovers it was origionally posted as long ago as a year. Not only that, but one has to wait through half a commercial before clicking on the skip arrow. 😾🙎‍♂️

I called my brothers this morning to wish them a Merry Christmas. They have families with whom they'll be celebrating tomorrow so I opted for a day berfore call. Brother Bill answered, brother Don didn't (he very seldom does) so I left a message in his voice mail. Brother Jim died in 2019 and I've no idea of how to contact his family. We've not communiccated since Jim's funeral. His family wouldn't give us directions to location of the reception following the funeral so I haven't pressed the issue. After sending birthday and Christmas cards for several years back in the twentieth century and never receiving a response I decided not to press the issue.
Looking at the clock, it's time for the Scrabble game to start at church. I guess I'll be missing it this week.
Merry Christmas
A comedians take on the day.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after maybe three or four hours of restless sleep.😴🙎‍♂️😾

The current conditions and the forecast for today.💨☁️😺☀️

A bit higher than expected.😾🙎‍♂️❤️🩺

I didn't think I'd ever get to sleep last night. The bedroom was stuffy and although my mind wasn't racing my legs were. I went to bed at about 2000hrs, but didn't sleep until 2300hrs. The veteran's meeting tonight should be interesting. Attendance has been down and with Christmas just two days from today I don't see the numbers growing. It may just be me and the other facilitator. Tomorrow's Scrabble game at church might also see just two or three of us.

Monday, December22, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer, St. Thomas the Apostle

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I woke after eight hours of sound sleep and the sound of Mr. Mistofellees purring.😺😴👍

The current conditions and forecast for today.😺☀️👍

No comment.😾🙎‍♂️❤️🩺

>p>Seen on Instgram.com/thedemocraticcoalition

Let's just say I woke up in a mood.

definetly a must watch and not just because he meets someone who brings food to a ferral cat colony

Sunday, December 21, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after eight hours of sound sleep.😺😴👍

The current conditions and the forecast for today.☀️😺

I was mugged by Haagen Daz before bedtime. Oh, it's funny now, but just you wait!😾🙎‍♂️❤️🩺

I can't decide if I should leave the time setting on the meter set to daily light savings time or go through the hassle of removing the battery, reinserting it so I can change the time. I think I'll leave it as is.

I think I may start buying the pastries for the early coffee hour on Saturdays. I enjoyed the extra time not having to stop at Kroger at 0600 gave me extra time at home and I was less stressed about getting the coffee makers ready to go once I got to church. 
I stopped at the cluster box to get the mail on my way this morning. The EMS lift assist bill was there along with the latest Time and Atlantic Magazines. The bill for the lift assist is $225, I tink I might fill out the Medicare information to see if it will cover most of it. Thhe worst that could happen is that it gets tuned down and I havbe an etrta month to pay the full amount.
I brought communion to a prishioner who's scheduled for a heart procedure tomorrow after taking William home from the 1030 Mass. We, William, and I decided we won't be attending the services scheduled for Christmas Eve. I already told Fr. Travis that I won't be ttendering the 1700hrs rite 2 Mass or the 2300hrs contemplative Mass. I didn't give him a reason. The 1700hrs rite 2 Mass will be packed to the walls (I can't emotionally deal with that large a crowd) and the contemplative rite 3 just doesn't "suit" my worship needs, that and I'm a real threat to drive after dark and/or stay up that late.

Saturday, Deceber 20, 2025

For those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer - Ember Day

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From The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, "Ember Days Three days which occur four times a year: the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after St. Lucy's Day (Dec. 13), Ash Wednesday, the Day of Pentecost, and Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14). The name comes from the Latin title Quattuor tempora, meaning “four times.” In ancient Italy the times (originally three) were associated with sowing, harvest, and vintage, for which one prayed, fasted, and gave alms. Later the four times became occasions for ordination, for which the Christian community prayed and the candidates prepared themselves by prayer and retreat. The BCP appoints proper collects and readings for this observance under the title “For the Ministry (Ember Days), including propers “For those to be ordained,” “For the choice of fit persons for the ministry,” and “For all Christians in their vocation” (BCP, pp. 256-257, 929)."

I woke after nine hours of sleep.😺😴👍

The current conditions and the weather forecast for today.😾🙎‍♂️💨

Finally! 😺❤️🩺

I'll make trip to Walmart today to exchange a winning sratch off ticket for a Powerball ticket and buy some pastries for tomorrow's early morning coffee hour. I normally go to Kroger on Sunday morning when they open at 0600. There's a group of us, including Fr. Travis, who get to church early for a bit of socializing before the 08300 Eucharist (Mass). My ulterior motive for starting this practice is to give worshippers who prefer quiet preperation the opportunity to enjoy that time without chatter from people who act like they haven't seen each other high school, not the previous Sunday.

The continuous glucose monitor that I ordered on the Internet was supposedly placed in a parcel bin of the community cluster on Monday the 15^{th. Whoever delivered the mail that day put the key to the bin in the wrong mail box, because I haven't seen it.}

Southern Ohio church to co-host memorial service for people who died homeless in 2025

Southern Ohio church to co-host memorial service for people who died homeless in 2025- From the ENS web page, "[Episcopal News Service] Columbus, Ohio, is facing a homelessness crisis as the number of unhoused people increases annually. At the beginning of 2025, more than 2,550 people were reportedly experiencing homelessness in the state capital. Since then, at least 168 of them have died while unsheltered. “Columbus experiences extreme cold and heat in the winter and summer months, so unhoused people oftentimes die from the weather,” the Rev. Jed Dearing, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church on Columbus’ Capitol Square, told Episcopal News Service. “There are addiction-related deaths from substance abuse, yes, but also mental health problems unrelated to substance abuse that go untreated when you are unhoused. Many unhoused people also die from violence or lack of access to medical care and not getting the medications they need.” Trinity, in partnership with the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, will honor those 168 people Dec. 18 by hosting an interfaith memorial service for the 22nd year. Dearing will give the opening remarks. The annual memorial service features a keynote speech instead of a traditional sermon. Franklin County Coroner Nathaniel Overmire will be this year’s keynote speaker."

Friday, December 19, 2025

for those so inclined, The Daily Office, Morning Prayer

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I woke after eight and one half hours of sound sleep.😺😴👍

The current conditions and forecast for today.😺☀️👍

Must be the Stouffers single serve lasagna I had before bedtime.😾❤️🩺

I'm looking forard to the weekend. The vehicle is registered and sporting a new sticker so I don't have to worry about getting pulled over for that, other things maybe, but not that. When I had my own vehicle, that sported a Purpe Heart lisence plate, I would mostly get pulled over and thanked my service. My brother's vehicle only has a disabled veteran plate which are a dime a dozen around here.

The last Sunday in Advent is coming up this weekend. I'll attend the 0830 Eucharist then bring William to the 1030 and after I take him back home I'll make a Eucharit visit to the same parishioner I visited last week. She's due for a heart procedure on Monday.