Another sunny and crisp December day unfolded, and as each of them pass, we’re reminding ourselves that it’s one more day closer to Spring, and if we can get out of December without having a hellacious blizzard or twenty below zero temps, it’ll make this winter all the more endurable.
Once my Sunday morning contemplative prayer session was completed, I gave all my favorite online news feeds a good scanning, and then headed over to Great Clips to get my hair cut before I had to be at St. Paul Lutheran.
I had a new gal this morning who seemed to be all the more proficient in getting it cut the way I like it, and because she did such a good job, I gave her a larger tip than I normally do. She made me laugh when saying my hair color is interesting to where there are transitioning shades. My only response was my having come by it honestly from my mother. For whatever reason, it’s been growing much faster these recent months which means I now have to get it cut every three weeks.
My music playing this morning went as well as expected, with the exception of the first hymn and the following short verse I had to play, and likely because I was getting a little flustered over not hearing the congregation singing along, and when that happens, my playing is affected in a bad way. Now if I knew I had to play a solo, I would’ve been just fine, but when people are supposed to be singing and they’re not, that’s when I start thinking it’s something I’m doing wrong.
It was a delight hearing their bell choir playing ‘O Come O Come Emanuel’, which sounded very good, and definitely appropriate for the Advent Season we’re now it. I decided to play a semi-difficult piece as a postlude, and ended up getting positive comments over it, which became another psychological ‘nudge’ to keep learning and practicing more.
A creepy-cool happening ended-up taking place, and it all started when I was getting my music put together early this morning, and for some reason, I began thinking about how very many times over the years I religiously sang and played at several churches, but always when my schedule for Christmas would be given, I’d be excluded from their most attended Service times, and only because there’d always be those wanna-be showoffs who were of the ‘upper crust’, wanting to sing and/or play those Service times. Well, wouldn’t you know, one of their schedulers came up to me this morning and asked if I’d be willing to play both of their Christmas Services which would be taking place on Christmas Eve. Of course I agreed to do it, along with sharing the thoughts I was having earlier this morning. Now wasn’t that beyond coincidence? You can be sure I’ll work at giving them my all on Christmas Eve.
I went downstairs to grab a half cup of coffee, and while visiting with several of their members, I suggested to the both of them who just happen to be clarinetist, that we all three get together in the future, and start playing selected pieces for their Sunday Services. As of this morning, they’re up for it, and luckily one of them has a music book which is filled with piano accompaniments. I’m sure she’ll be getting me that book, just so I can get a good look at them. Hopefully we’ll come up with something their congregation will like.
Once I left St. Paul, I headed over to East Hy-Vee to pick up a few things I needed, and as chance would have it, I ran into Rich and Cynthia Tompkins who must’ve just come from their Services at St. James Lutheran, and since Cynthia is their lead keyboard musician, we had a nice chat about St. Paul and St. James. There’s no question in my mind, she’s light years ahead of me with her musical abilities. She can likely seat herself down and freely play the most difficult pieces, but what I like about her the most, is how easy going she is, which you normally don’t find with people who’re that talented.
Just as I was pulling back up to my office, I received a message from one of my buyers who was wanting to see a home this afternoon, so I went ahead and scheduled it. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to get any work done over at my little/big project, but as I’ve always known, real estate sales comes before my personal projects, so to fill those two free hours, I putzed around my office with getting some cleaning done, files organized, and peeking at the news feeds again.
Ok, I’m not being overly critical when saying how much our Globe Gazette and KIMT online news sites have evolved into something most people on the outside looking in, would think of our community when seeing all the mugshots of people who’ve been charged with crimes here in Mason City and North Iowa. Sure, they have a sprinkling of folksy stuff, but for the most part it’s either on the negative side, or something being written about a special interest group. I don’t know if it’s because I’m now noticing it more, or if they’re actually adding more negative ‘fill’ to their daily news. If I were not fully familiar with our City, I’d swear we were living in one of the most crime-ridden communities in the United States.
While visiting with one of the ‘powers that be’ several days ago, I mentioned something about my continued ‘feeling’ there’s some untold story about the building of that ghost hotel which has yet to be revealed. The shocking response was, “Don’t be surprised if our City ends up co-signing on the loan to build it with that bank in Minnesota, like they did with Rachie’s buying Southbridge Mall.” After those words were finally absorbed, I shook my head saying, “Heaven help us all if they do!” Now tell me your thoughts on it.
Tonight’s One-liner is: People need revelation, and then they need resolution.
