Nearly the last minute this morning, I decided to go to one of the local churches and managed to get there just as their Service was beginning. When looking for a spare seat in the rear, I slipped in next to an IPERS pensioner whom I believe worked in some capacity in the school system for a number of years. Looking at how he’s aged, reminded me again how quickly the years pass.
Not realizing it until starting looking around, I discovered a couple seated a row ahead of me and down several seats to my right. I’ve never had any dealings with them in real estate, but our paths have crossed on occasion over these many years. My first and lasting impression of them wasn’t the best due to the both of them having a weird sort of condescending demeanor. At that time I thought, “Hmm. You people don’t even know me and you act like this?” I did mention to someone who was all the more familiar with them how they treated me the first time we met, and he said not to pay any attention because they’re that way with nearly everyone they consider below them. I laughed and said, “Don’t you think someone should remind them that we’re not living in India within a caste system?” He chuckled and said, “I dare you to say that to them the next time you see them.” Well today was neither the time or place, so I just pretended they weren’t even there.
The service as a whole was pretty weak–especially the short sermon that was given. What bothered me the most was the keyboardist and lead singer who were upstairs trying to get the congregation to sing music that certainly wasn’t meant for an aging crowd. Wow! I can’t remember the last time I was in a church where all the hymns being played were filled with syncopation and excessively broad vocal ranges. It’s no wonder nearly no one was singing. The young male lead singer was even stumbling a time or two. As I was walking out, I was tempted to go upstairs and soulfully give them my opinion regarding today’s music choices. Nearly all the churches in North Iowa are pushing the idea of “inclusion for all”. How can they possibly think they’re including everyone when most don’t have music backgrounds along with wide vocal ranges? Oh well, perhaps some day they’ll more fully understand the concept of inclusion.
My day was split between doing some real estate work along with being back at my little big project. Every hour that’s spent on it brings me all the closer to my personal finish line. I’ve discovered after these many days how I’ve grown all the more proficient. Now you see. Practice does bring nearly everyone closer to perfection. After looking at the weather, I’m hoping along with saying a little prayer we don’t have a light frost in the lowlands of North Iowa which would include much of Mason City since the bulk of it’s in the bottom of a “bowl”. After tonight, we should have a very pleasant week ahead. Yes, I’m being selfish in wanting to see our flowers continue blooming.
The above photo is of one of the last remaining historic Pioneer homes within our City limits. Every time I drive past it, I become all the more saddened in knowing that it’s now likely beyond repair. The family that owns it should’ve been a little more conscientious regarding its historic significance. Isn’t it a sad sight? Oh if only those stone walls could speak. If possible, they’d certainly be telling some hair-raising stories about how hard life was back in the 1850’s.
