Upon arrival at office this morning, I first gave the front sidewalk a good sweeping of cigarette butts, wrappers and leaves that had accumulated, and once that was completed, I headed to my darkened corner to get my contemplative session started.
As I’ve mentioned several times before, there are days where it’s pretty much a near exact repeat from the last time, while others, I feel far more ‘connected’ with the higher power, and today happened to be one of them, and every time that happens, I’m all the more spiritually charged and wiped-free of all that temporal gunk I’d accumulated over this past week.
Because I had several small errands to run before heading over to First Congregational Church, there was no practicing beforehand, and upon arrival, I went ahead and got their grand piano and vintage pipe organ opened up and readied for a little practicing before their members started arriving.
Since it was officially the last time I’d be playing for them on a regular basis, I decided to play a few more slightly difficult pieces, and what I chose for their prelude, was the one I’ve been practicing on and off for months, so I figured if I should manage to get thru it, I’d be adding it to my collection of favorites.
I believe the powers that be had a hand in getting me thru that piece, and when I finished, I received a remarkable applause from their members, so I stood up and said, “I just thought I’d let you know I’ve been practicing this relatively difficult piece for quite some time, and today is the first time I’ve played it for the general public.” Wouldn’t you know, I received another round of applause.
Just before the closing hymn, Pastor Everest asked me to walk over to the pulpit, so I got up and stood next to him. To my surprise, he gave a little speech thanking me for playing once a month for nearly two years, and then handed me some words of thanks that were framed which I took a picture of and using it as tonight’s photo.
To my surprise, he also pulled out from under the pulpit, a single pipe from a pipe organ which he must’ve diligently searched for, and since it’s about two feet tall and able to stand by itself, I’ll certainly have it conspicuously placed at the front of my office. I’m sure it’ll quickly become a conversation piece. With organ pipe in hand, I soulfully thanked Pastor Everest and their community of faith for the reception I was to attend afterwards, along with saying how much I’ll miss their beautiful church, their delightful pipe organ, and most of all, their congregation in general. Yes, it was definitely a memorable Sunday morning.
I did mention to several of the trustees during the reception, my willingness to play for them whenever they’re in a pinch, which they were glad to hear. One of them also insisted I come over and play their organ whenever they’re not conducting their Services. As I mentioned before, the reason why I’m no longer on their schedule, is the fact that they have a new member who also plays the organ, and since they were in need of someone to work with their youth, they created a position for her to work with the children every Sunday, along with playing their organ once a month.
After I returned to my office, I changed my clothes and worked in my garden for a good three hours which consisted of some heavy duty weeding and then the planting of beets, Buttercup squash and another row of carrots. I’m sure once those beets are up and growing nicely, those vile deer will be standing on the other side of my fencing and salivating over them. Too bad for those wicked creatures.
Once I had my fill of gardening, I went back over to my cleaning project and worked for another two or more hours, and thank goodness I finally managed to get a super-filthy room fully cleaned. At least I’ll now be able to leave the door of it open, because I had to keep it closed due to a nauseating odor of an animal.
Since Hy-Vee had their Tillamook ice cream deeply discounted, I purchased a half gallon of their rich vanilla. Oh my goodness! You wouldn’t believe the heavenly taste of it after adding my homemade strawberry preserve to it as a topping. If there are any of you who haven’t had Tillamook’s ice cream, you absolutely must give it a try. Yes, it’s that good.
Tonight’s One-liner is: It’s the quality of your relationships that matters.
