I was talking with one of our members, and she told me that God's been doing everything possible to get these people to turn away from their country club mentality and turn to him, but they're refusing to listen. Then, bless her, she said "you were probably their best chance to get right with God, but they ran you out... and God is not pleased."

It's a long, drawn-out story, and some day I might tell it. But for now, I just have to shake the dust from my feet and walk away.
Just keep me in your prayers as I look for a job and a place to live.

And yes, the shiny floor makes me smile.

As of last Thursday, I am on a personal leave of absence for a month.

Last summer, my dad fell and hit his head pretty hard. He has since that time slipped into a progressively worsening (yeah, I know) dementia, and in March, he moved into a "Memory Care" unit. I found myself stressed beyond imagination, having to move the remainder of his (and mom's) belongings to my home, 3 hours away, with Dad unsure about what was happening. I've also had to assume legal power of attorney. Fortunately, he had already put me on all of his bank accounts, so I am now paying all his bills... but still!

Things at church continue to be stressful, with certain people harassing me about the messy parsonage. And the usual characters continued to criticize everything imaginable. Then the PPR committee met, and told me that they were "concerned" about me. They wanted certain things done by the first week of May - like cleaning my parsonage - and I told them what was going on. Though they were sympathetic, they felt I still needed to do these things. So I called the District Superintendent, and filled him in.

Long story short: I cannot take "family leave" time unless I am seeking a change in my appointment status. That means I would be without a salary - or a home - during the time I was on leave. So I told him that I was stressed beyond measure, and had to do something. The church approved me taking 4 weeks of personal time, and now I can focus on my life.

Sometimes you just have to walk away, huh?

That's worth tuning in for, ain't it?

this was my response to a GD post (no, not that G.D.!), and I thought it could bring some lively, polite discussion to our group.

I was awake at 4 am, unable to sleep. The phone rang at 4:30, and it was a nurse calling, telling me that my Mom passed away in her sleep. In an instant, my blood turned to ice, and I heard my voice screaming "NO!". The rest of me was numb. I hoped and prayed that this was all a bad dream - that I would wake up, shaken, but assured that this wasn't happening.

This was a day I feared for the last several years. I didn't know how I could survive without my Mom. Living without a spouse or family of my own, I came to depend on Mom for so many things. Someone to listen and really hear me. Someone who loved me unconditionally, and often told me to believe in myself. She reminded me, in my darkest times, that I was a far more effective pastor than I'd ever realize. "Remember, you're probably reaching more people than you think you do." When I celebrated the joys of life, she was there. And when I carried the burdens of the world, she reminded me to turn them over to God. And when I hurt - whether physically, or emotionally, she cried with me. Her hugs could cure any pain in the world. Her smile was contagious. She always had a kind word to say about everyone, and those who met her fell in love with her joy of life.

Mommy, I miss you.
Thank you for all you have given me. You live within me, not just in my heart, but in my life. I carry you with me every day, and realize that I would not be the person I am today without you.

Thank you, God, for giving me the most precious gift of all.

Happy All Saints' day! In my faith tradition, this is the time when we remember and give thanks for those we lost in the last year.

First, my Mom:



And my beloved Binky:




Rest in Peace, 2006

This is more than a simple copycat. Yvr's thread got me thinking about all the people who post here, and how some people have come to rely on the compassion and sympathy of others.

In my darkest times, your posts of support kept me going. I know I'm not the only one to experience your kindness and compassion.

But here's my real question: As Dems, don't we believe that we have a responsibility to help care for those who, for whatever reason, cannot care for themselves alone? And doesn't that include emotional support?

Rodney King once asked "why can't we all get along?" And I want to ask all of us the same question. Can we please, PLEASE make a real effort to support one another - or at the very least, be polite? And if you can't do that much, would you at least leave other people alone and stop the snark? You may go for the easy laugh, but ultimately, this behavior is destroying a lovely community.

Flame away. I can take it.

My Binky, sick with complications due to kidney failure, died at 4 pm today. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but it was clear there was no hope.

I can't even begin to say how much she meant to me. She followed me into every room, slept with me, and was the best friend I could ever ask for. There's a very large hole in my heart right now.

Rest in peace, Binky. Thank you for sharing your life with me, and for all the love and comfort you've given. I am forever grateful.



Together again

Meet CC and Keith, who were adopted this afternoon. They are slowly getting to know their much older sisters, Oreo and Binky.



This is CC. He is already exploring every nook and cranny, and fearlessly walked right up to Oreo (who didn't appreciate that very much at all). His purring sounds more like growling, and when he gets excited, he sounds like he's grunting like a pig!



This is 9 Lives. I'm hoping he'll like the name Keith. He is very, very shy, and wouldn't leave his carrier. I showed him the litterbox, and he sat right down in it and wouldn't get up! Right now, he is hiding under the sofa in the family room. His hair is much shorter than in this photo. Or, he is much, much bigger than he was just a few months ago. The really cool thing was finding out that he was born about the same time that Mom died...like he was sent from heaven!

Acts 1:11 - "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Acts 2:2 - "And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting."

Mission Accomplished.

From Binky:

Hi everybody. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers and good wishes this week. I was at the vet's from Friday until Monday, when Mommy picked me up. I'm still very tired and weak, and don't feel much like eating. Mommy still has to give me medicine that I hate, and she puts fluid under my skin to keep me hydrated. I spend most of my time in my crate, hiding from Oreo and staying safe in a confined space.

It's so good to be home!

Love, Binky.

From Ruth: Thank you all, so very much. She's looking much better than she was last week. Not 100%, but she's getting there.
To all of you,

ed/to add photo!

My cat, Binky, is at the vet's, and will be having surgery in a few minutes. She has an abcessed tooth, is terribly dehydrated and weak. She is 16 years old, and the vet gives her a 50/50 chance of making it.

The vet was optimistic enough for me to be willing to try it, and see how she does. But I'm a mess, I've been crying all day, and my eyes are swollen. I won't know until later this afternoon how things go.

If you're so inclined, please say some prayers for Binky, and for me. Good wishes and happy thoughts are most welcomed, too.

This was in response to a question about arranged marriages, and finding the perfect man.

how long until asshole decides to outlaw divorce, and outlaw heteros living together unless they're married?

God, this asshole makes me sick, sick, sick.
And them damned announcers on TV, saying he represents the views of evangelicals. Apparently, evangelicals are worried about immigration, too.

Oh, and one more thing: I am so fucking sick of hearing the words "activist judges." How about a fucking activist president? One who decides he doesn't have to follow laws which are inconvenient to him?

I am seething with rage over this asshole, and his "Divider" agenda.

Mom and Dad: Ellie and Fred. Together, called "Frellie"


Wasn't she a cute young woman?


I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day, in your new home in heaven.