I don't expect to get a lot of responses to this entry. Seems folks like to read Scriptural analysis but don't like to discuss it much. Some are even offended by it. Well, it's my blog and I'll post what I want. It's a long post. A bit scholarly. Heavy with Biblical references to the Book of Luke. So here you go. Jay
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No song reference. But a long email with lots of Scriptural cites.
It’s no secret that I occasionally like to cook (ok, you can roll your eyes here), that I enjoy preparing a feast for a lot of people, and in general find the process of combining ingredients to create something that nearly all of our guests will appreciate, enjoy, and remember, to be something which enriches my soul. The latest incarnation of that experience was being me bringing a casserole to Joyce, our neighbor to the west, who lost her husband this past week. In return, she delivered a very lovely thank you card telling us we were such good neighbors. I just passed it off like any Iowan would – “it’s just what we do.” Her family from Rockwell City understood when I said that.
Fr. Plough also enjoys this process of cooking for others, and even more, being a guest when invited to dinner. And his homily this past Sunday, based on the Gospel of Luke, reflected on all of the references to meals in which Jesus partook – either as host or guest.
I cannot doubt Fr. Plough, his curriculum vitae, his pastoral credentials, or his experience as both a Biblical scholar teaching in a seminary or as a parish priest. But I’m just one of those folks who wish to see/read/understand/verify for myself. Not a skeptic per se, but just someone who likes to see things for himself.
Fr. Plough talked about the 12 times (outside of The Lord’s Supper) in which Jesus was present for a meal in the Gospel of Luke. And then also delved into the reasons behind the meals/feasts. We share meals or hold feasts for several reasons; to celebrate (a wedding, a baptism, a confirmation, a graduation, a birthday…) to commiserate (a funeral luncheon, even though there’s probably a lot of laughter taking place), a solemnity (knowing this could be the last time one gets to break bread with someone), to share a common faith (which is what we do in the Eucharist every Sunday). I’ve been involved in all of those types of meals. For that matter, all of you reading this probably have, too. So let's get started...
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The cites and the meaning behind the meals in the Gospel of Luke are as follows:
Luke 4:1-4 “1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness
2 during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, if thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it become bread.
4 And Jesus answered unto him, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.”
Jesus was tempted with food by Satan. He did not succumb.
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1 Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.
4 And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;
7 and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
Jesus filled the fisherman’s nets so that a great multitude could be fed. (The particular cite got messed up and I couldn't find a fix for it. Guess you'll have to open your Bibles.
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Luke 4: 29-33: And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.
30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
33 And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
Jesus dines with those perceived to be his enemies.
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Luke 5 : 1-11: “ 1 Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.
4 And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;
7 and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
10 and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
Jesus showed them he was the Son of God – and gave them a miracle.
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Luke 6: 1-5 Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2 But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;
4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.
Jesus showed once again His credentials as the Son of God.
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Luke 7: 36-39 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
37 And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38 and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
Christ showed that he felt himself not to be above any man, including a Pharisee, but willing to be the sacrificial lamb for all men.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Luke 9: 12-17 12 And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.
Jesus feeds the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fishes.
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Luke 10: 3-8 3 Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Jesus was telling his disciples that they would be taken care of – be grateful for what you are given to eat.
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Luke 10: 29-37 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.
36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?
37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Jesus told his disciples through a parable to share what you have, including food, to those who are in need.
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Luke 10: 38-41 38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things.
Christ told Martha that spiritual food was every bit as important as physical nourishment.
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Luke 11:5:8 5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
7 and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
Jesus reminds us that charity is important.
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Luke 12: 27-29 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Simple translation: God’s got your back.
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After that… well, The Lord’s Supper. Of which mountains of books have been written.
An apparent theme – a meal, sharing food, is a chance for fellowship. A sharing of faith. A sharing of experiences, of stories. Fellowship – in our shared faith, I am a fellow of Christ’s, just as you are. There’s a fine word to look up and know – fellowship.
One large difference between Fr. Plough and me – he doesn’t mind doing the dishes after the meal.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Ants Go Marching...
It’s a rather obvious song reference.
In Happy Valley, this is a harbinger of spring – the ants invade your home looking for food.
They swarm Sadie’s food dish (we free-feed her). A crumb from breakfast toast is descended upon immediately. Left out a knife which you used cutting last night’s pizza? Ants.
The cure? Windex. With Ammonia D (whatever that stands for…) Kills ants on contact.
Having done some seriously good leather work in the past, I just might have to build me a two-gun rig for Windex bottles.
Soft Scrub is also in the arsenal. The Ants find a crack in the grout and they invade. Soft Scrub w/ Bleach to the rescue!
The battle has been waging for nearly two weeks. I decided on a true STOMP! measure when they invaded a pan of brownies that I made this past weekend. One has to draw the line somewhere.
Me: about 30,000 or so ants. Ants: 1 pan of brownies.
I hate ants.
In Happy Valley, this is a harbinger of spring – the ants invade your home looking for food.
They swarm Sadie’s food dish (we free-feed her). A crumb from breakfast toast is descended upon immediately. Left out a knife which you used cutting last night’s pizza? Ants.
The cure? Windex. With Ammonia D (whatever that stands for…) Kills ants on contact.
Having done some seriously good leather work in the past, I just might have to build me a two-gun rig for Windex bottles.
Soft Scrub is also in the arsenal. The Ants find a crack in the grout and they invade. Soft Scrub w/ Bleach to the rescue!
The battle has been waging for nearly two weeks. I decided on a true STOMP! measure when they invaded a pan of brownies that I made this past weekend. One has to draw the line somewhere.
Me: about 30,000 or so ants. Ants: 1 pan of brownies.
I hate ants.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Respect
Nope, not about Aretha Franklin’s song. Just about respect in general.
As my lovely wife is in my humble opinion becoming gold, I suppose I’m changing, too. Becoming rust, maybe. That evolution is still playing out. Something I wrote to MA! earlier today:
“Had lunch at a huge Chinese buffet (I like this place, Jody not so much). Sat across the aisle from a gent probably 6 or 7 years older than me, wearing a ball cap that proclaimed he was a Vietnam Vet. Marine, I’m sure. As he and his wife got up to leave, I stood as well, extended my hand, which he took, and I told him “thank you for your service.” He was taken aback for a moment, but then that military training kicked in and he was at rigid attention while he shook my hand. Just said “thank you, sir.” He left with his head held a bit higher.
I’ve figured out lately that the simple mercies we give to one another are some that people hold most dear. Doesn’t cost anything to smile, say please and thank you, address folks with respect… but it makes a difference in their lives.”
The times which I’ve spent serving meals to homeless people, all of whom I’ve addressed as “sir” or “ma’am” have let me know that everyone deserves a kindness. One phrase I absolutely despise is “those people”. I’ve heard it used too often by some (politicians mostly) wanting to degrade the folks that Jody and her staff work so hard to be an advocate for.
If there’s a song reference, let’s go with Jesse Collin Young’s “Get Together”.
“C’mon people now, smile on your brother,
Everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”
As my lovely wife is in my humble opinion becoming gold, I suppose I’m changing, too. Becoming rust, maybe. That evolution is still playing out. Something I wrote to MA! earlier today:
“Had lunch at a huge Chinese buffet (I like this place, Jody not so much). Sat across the aisle from a gent probably 6 or 7 years older than me, wearing a ball cap that proclaimed he was a Vietnam Vet. Marine, I’m sure. As he and his wife got up to leave, I stood as well, extended my hand, which he took, and I told him “thank you for your service.” He was taken aback for a moment, but then that military training kicked in and he was at rigid attention while he shook my hand. Just said “thank you, sir.” He left with his head held a bit higher.
I’ve figured out lately that the simple mercies we give to one another are some that people hold most dear. Doesn’t cost anything to smile, say please and thank you, address folks with respect… but it makes a difference in their lives.”
The times which I’ve spent serving meals to homeless people, all of whom I’ve addressed as “sir” or “ma’am” have let me know that everyone deserves a kindness. One phrase I absolutely despise is “those people”. I’ve heard it used too often by some (politicians mostly) wanting to degrade the folks that Jody and her staff work so hard to be an advocate for.
If there’s a song reference, let’s go with Jesse Collin Young’s “Get Together”.
“C’mon people now, smile on your brother,
Everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
On Becoming Gold
Marc Cohn once again – “She’s Becoming Gold”. Please - go listen to it.
I have listened to that song for nearly 20 years. At times, very intently; with headphones on and trying to hear every nuance of the music. Given that the background singers include David Crosby, it’s no wonder that I wanted to hear every note played or sang by anyone.
I’ve concluded that maybe I missed the message in the lyrics. I’ve been under that conclusion ever since I got a very short and simple email from my lovely wife earlier today.
I had asked her, regarding another matter, how she’d managed to get so smart before she even turned 50. Her two word response: “becoming gold”.
The song is about… well, it’s about a lot of things, but mainly I’ve concluded that it’s about acquiring wisdom. Which really only happens as one ages. Wisdom is something one either inherits or acquires. In TLMK’s case, I think it’s a combination. Mac & Theany were/are wise, - from lessons hard learned and a toughness earned from a hard life. The same can be said of ML and Edna.
Through their struggles, they became “gold”. Quiet, unassuming, and filled with wisdom.
And joy. Everyone reading this can remember laughing with their parents. Good times.
So go become gold.
I have listened to that song for nearly 20 years. At times, very intently; with headphones on and trying to hear every nuance of the music. Given that the background singers include David Crosby, it’s no wonder that I wanted to hear every note played or sang by anyone.
I’ve concluded that maybe I missed the message in the lyrics. I’ve been under that conclusion ever since I got a very short and simple email from my lovely wife earlier today.
I had asked her, regarding another matter, how she’d managed to get so smart before she even turned 50. Her two word response: “becoming gold”.
The song is about… well, it’s about a lot of things, but mainly I’ve concluded that it’s about acquiring wisdom. Which really only happens as one ages. Wisdom is something one either inherits or acquires. In TLMK’s case, I think it’s a combination. Mac & Theany were/are wise, - from lessons hard learned and a toughness earned from a hard life. The same can be said of ML and Edna.
Through their struggles, they became “gold”. Quiet, unassuming, and filled with wisdom.
And joy. Everyone reading this can remember laughing with their parents. Good times.
So go become gold.
Walk Through This World
OK – the title of this post is the song that’s not only playing in my head, but also playing on the computer at the moment – “Walk Through This World” by Marc Cohn. Great song.
It got me thinking about various places to which we travel. There are some cities that I would classify as “walking” cities. Meaning it is a joy just to walk the streets, hear the sounds, take in the local sights… Those cities would include San Francisco (which I have walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to Market Street, and from the Presidio to the Financial District – love that town!), Seattle, downtown LA (seriously!) San Diego, Boston, and Washington DC. We’ll be in DC in May, and I’m looking forward to strolling the Mall and the length of Pennsylvania Avenue. Also looking forward to going back to Johnny’s Half Shell for lunch, but that’s another story.
While in DC I’ll be getting plenty of exercise. I even have a pair of Gnu Shooz for me! I plan to make my usual stops at the Navy Memorial and Dupont Circle – which leads into Georgetown and some very cool shops and eateries. And this time I’m planning to spend some time at the National Archives. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and it’s probably time that I went to visit the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence again. Standing in front of documents that are well over 200 years old and contain the tenets of this experimental government known as modern democracy, (as opposed to ancient Greek democracy), is a bit of a humbling experience. Especially when you know that a lot of the men who signed those documents died defending them.
Walking the streets of these towns – or cities, if you must – gives you a sense of the tenor of what the Average Joe like me is feeling, thinking, experiencing. We were in DC in March 2002. National Guard troops on every corner within a 10 block radius of the White House, armed with M-16’s, locked and loaded with the safeties off. (Yes, I know enough about weapons to be able to tell.) It was just plain scary. A year before, it was tranquil, peaceful, and the cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom. All was calm. Late March in DC can be an absolutely beautiful time in that town.
I don’t know what DC is going to feel like when we spend four days there this May.
I just know I plan to walk.
It got me thinking about various places to which we travel. There are some cities that I would classify as “walking” cities. Meaning it is a joy just to walk the streets, hear the sounds, take in the local sights… Those cities would include San Francisco (which I have walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to Market Street, and from the Presidio to the Financial District – love that town!), Seattle, downtown LA (seriously!) San Diego, Boston, and Washington DC. We’ll be in DC in May, and I’m looking forward to strolling the Mall and the length of Pennsylvania Avenue. Also looking forward to going back to Johnny’s Half Shell for lunch, but that’s another story.
While in DC I’ll be getting plenty of exercise. I even have a pair of Gnu Shooz for me! I plan to make my usual stops at the Navy Memorial and Dupont Circle – which leads into Georgetown and some very cool shops and eateries. And this time I’m planning to spend some time at the National Archives. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and it’s probably time that I went to visit the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence again. Standing in front of documents that are well over 200 years old and contain the tenets of this experimental government known as modern democracy, (as opposed to ancient Greek democracy), is a bit of a humbling experience. Especially when you know that a lot of the men who signed those documents died defending them.
Walking the streets of these towns – or cities, if you must – gives you a sense of the tenor of what the Average Joe like me is feeling, thinking, experiencing. We were in DC in March 2002. National Guard troops on every corner within a 10 block radius of the White House, armed with M-16’s, locked and loaded with the safeties off. (Yes, I know enough about weapons to be able to tell.) It was just plain scary. A year before, it was tranquil, peaceful, and the cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom. All was calm. Late March in DC can be an absolutely beautiful time in that town.
I don’t know what DC is going to feel like when we spend four days there this May.
I just know I plan to walk.
Friday, March 20, 2009
And then things got a mite Western…
Hank Snow. Pure Country. “Under Western Skies”. Texas Swing.
Well now that the required song reference has been taken care of, the subject refers to a couple of things. One – it’s a colloquialism we use out here, understated, of course, to basically say that things are getting pretty wild. And B: that would pretty much describe my jaunt down Floyd Hill yesterday.
Floyd Hill runs down (westbound) from Genesee to Idaho Springs. About 13 or 14 miles. Drop in elevation is somewhere around 2,000 feet. And you also need to know that I-70 is THE major route across Colorado east to west or west to east. I-25 is the north-south route, but that’s another story. Anyways, I-70 carries a lot of semi-trailer traffic. And because it’s Colorado, a lot of 4WD pickups and SUV’s as well. Lots of large vehicles.
And there are some places where it gets a skosh bit tight, with lanes ending, acceleration ramps merging, etc. Floyd Hill is one of those places. Your basic little Toyota or Honda looks pretty dang small in the I-70 crowd.
So, going down Floyd Hill yesterday, trying to keep Steve (our Yukon XL) from running over 80 mph, dodging the 18-wheeler traffic, and then I find myself behind a large truck… and suddenly a lot of smoke is coming from his rear wheels. Then I can see that the rear wheels are “chattering” – locked up and hopping down the pavement instead of rolling. I had about ½ a second to hit the left lane and the gas pedal. Some sort of small vehicle behind me in that lane had to hit their jammers pretty hard, but there was no way I was going to drive into the rear end of a semi.
Eventually I got back in the right lane, and the little hontoyhyundaewatsun-something passed me. The driver even “communicated” with me (think Top Gun here). Steve left that car way behind while cruising up to the Tunnel and over Vail Pass locked in at 70 mph without breathing hard.
But yeah, for a moment there, things got a mite Western…
Well now that the required song reference has been taken care of, the subject refers to a couple of things. One – it’s a colloquialism we use out here, understated, of course, to basically say that things are getting pretty wild. And B: that would pretty much describe my jaunt down Floyd Hill yesterday.
Floyd Hill runs down (westbound) from Genesee to Idaho Springs. About 13 or 14 miles. Drop in elevation is somewhere around 2,000 feet. And you also need to know that I-70 is THE major route across Colorado east to west or west to east. I-25 is the north-south route, but that’s another story. Anyways, I-70 carries a lot of semi-trailer traffic. And because it’s Colorado, a lot of 4WD pickups and SUV’s as well. Lots of large vehicles.
And there are some places where it gets a skosh bit tight, with lanes ending, acceleration ramps merging, etc. Floyd Hill is one of those places. Your basic little Toyota or Honda looks pretty dang small in the I-70 crowd.
So, going down Floyd Hill yesterday, trying to keep Steve (our Yukon XL) from running over 80 mph, dodging the 18-wheeler traffic, and then I find myself behind a large truck… and suddenly a lot of smoke is coming from his rear wheels. Then I can see that the rear wheels are “chattering” – locked up and hopping down the pavement instead of rolling. I had about ½ a second to hit the left lane and the gas pedal. Some sort of small vehicle behind me in that lane had to hit their jammers pretty hard, but there was no way I was going to drive into the rear end of a semi.
Eventually I got back in the right lane, and the little hontoyhyundaewatsun-something passed me. The driver even “communicated” with me (think Top Gun here). Steve left that car way behind while cruising up to the Tunnel and over Vail Pass locked in at 70 mph without breathing hard.
But yeah, for a moment there, things got a mite Western…
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Yesterday, I could commiserate with Alexander in Judith Viorst’s children’s book from 1972. Or Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day”. And you thought I might not be able to come up with a song! Actually I like that song… pretty much a “hey, it happens – get over it” song.
It began with me going to the Sears Auto Center to get Gnu Shooz put on Phred. (Thanks Dan!) I have gone to them several times in our 18+ years here in Happy Valley, mostly after being quite ripped off by Big O Tires (don’t know if you all have that chain in your area or not – if so, stay away!) And I’ve had very good service from Sears. Until this time.
I had gone in about ten days ago to get them at the sale price (buy three get one free PLUS a $75 mail in rebate.). They rang it all up, and Jody and I left Phred to be re-shod and went about other errands. Half an hour later my cell rings and it’s Sears, telling me they only have 3 tires. Grumble grumble grumble… Back to Sears, put the tires on reserve to hold the price and go on about our business. And wait for Sears to call again.
Which they did on Monday. So Tuesday around 10:30 AM I got Phred into the shop. I get to deal with a clerk for whom English is possibly a third language. I told him my name and that I was here for a new set of tires. So he’s on the computer looking up customers and passes over my name twice. So I actually had to spell my last name letter by letter in Spanish (one learns rudimentary Spanish after living here so long). Finally he got it. Print out the work order. Sign here. And then “your vehicle should be ready in about 2 hours”.
Well crap. Two hours to kill in the Mall in the middle of the day. On a Tuesday. OK, I’ll take advantage of this and do a “Mall Walk” (circle the Mall and walk about 1-1/8 miles) and stop in places that I can think of where I may actually have some business. First – stop at Herbergers (department store). Do a bit of pre-shopping for Jody for a few new duds for her upcoming trip to DC. Find a few things, make a mental note that a 20% sale starts on Wednesday (today) and resume my walk.
Cutlery USA. I remember they offer sharpening services. Walk in, inquire, am assured it’s overnight service, and then hand over the two blades I’m carrying. Scare a customer in the process when I snap open my Blur to show the owner of the shop that the black anodized finish isn’t holding up as well as I thought it would (there’s a reason they call it a Blur). Wouldn’t trade it for anything, though. Settle up and resume my walk.
Hit Target, because my eyes are itching and watering so bad it’s nearly blinding me. Between everything our 40 mph winds kicked up on Monday, and all the scents from the perfume counters, candle shops, Body Works shop... my allergies are going like 90. Buy some Visine-A eye drops and apply several times. I can see again. Resume my walk back to the other end of the Mall. Arrive back at Sears when the two hours are up. Peer out the window to the shop and see Phred up on a hoist with no shooz on his hind feet.
Find out that all tires had been removed from the rims, new tires installed, and now a tech was balancing them. Sit in the waiting room and read a boring car magazine from 3 years ago. Just before 1:30, Phred was ready. But wait… why are there 2 of his old tires being loaded into the back of Phred? Well, someone had written up the order to reflect that I wanted them to dispose of (and pay the disposal fee for) only 2 tires. No, I don’t want to haul home 2 used tires, so just add the extra $4 and take those 2 as well. Sorry, this ticket is now closed. Fine. I’ll give you $4 cash – just take them out of Phred. I can’t do that – ticket is closed. Write a new ticket, then. I don’t know how…. MANAGER! They removed the tires and comp’d the $4. Big spenders.
OK – now to Wally World to pick up one prescription and go home. Walk up to the window to find a sign “Pharmacy closed until 2:00 PM while the Pharmacist is at lunch”. Great. 25 minutes to kill wandering around The Evil Empire. I’m hungry, a bit low on blood sugar, getting crankier by the second… So I hit the McD’s embedded in this place for a quick burger and a milk. Kills enough time to then go back to the Pharmacy counter. Where I find a line a mile long – stretching all the way back into the greeting cards with people waiting until their digital watches strike (metaphorically, of course) 2:00 PM. I get to wait several minutes, having to listen to a seven year old open and hear every musical greeting card on the shelves. At least the line moves quickly (starting at 2:01 according to my digital watch) and I’m on my way.
Home. Next on list – call Humana, my Medicare Part D provider. I find out they still have not canceled my membership and have been taking $42 bucks from me every month, even though I chose a new provider in December and told them to cancel in January. “I don’t see any notes that you’ve called us this year…” selective amnesia. Get it canceled for sure, only to find out on the next call that my new Part D may not qualify. In which case I get to choose a different provider, but be penalized with a 1% surcharge for not being able to understand, or worse, follow the convoluted rules set up by W’s administration. Finally, after 45 minutes on the phone, get it straightened out. All is well in W’s “Magical Prescription Drug Plan Mystery Tour”.
The day was not a total loss. We enjoyed a very nice dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, with a couple of representatives of a contractor with whom Jody is working – they're doing an energy audit and installing a lot of “green” components on a very large HVAC system on one of GJHA’s properties. The meal and the company were good. I even got complimented on my Italian pronunciation of the dishes. "You must have taken Italian courses." I bit my toungue, recalling all the various phonetic lessons necessary to sing operas in Italian, German, French, Italian... and said, "no... but mille grazi."
Today should be a better day. Without having to move to Australia…
It began with me going to the Sears Auto Center to get Gnu Shooz put on Phred. (Thanks Dan!) I have gone to them several times in our 18+ years here in Happy Valley, mostly after being quite ripped off by Big O Tires (don’t know if you all have that chain in your area or not – if so, stay away!) And I’ve had very good service from Sears. Until this time.
I had gone in about ten days ago to get them at the sale price (buy three get one free PLUS a $75 mail in rebate.). They rang it all up, and Jody and I left Phred to be re-shod and went about other errands. Half an hour later my cell rings and it’s Sears, telling me they only have 3 tires. Grumble grumble grumble… Back to Sears, put the tires on reserve to hold the price and go on about our business. And wait for Sears to call again.
Which they did on Monday. So Tuesday around 10:30 AM I got Phred into the shop. I get to deal with a clerk for whom English is possibly a third language. I told him my name and that I was here for a new set of tires. So he’s on the computer looking up customers and passes over my name twice. So I actually had to spell my last name letter by letter in Spanish (one learns rudimentary Spanish after living here so long). Finally he got it. Print out the work order. Sign here. And then “your vehicle should be ready in about 2 hours”.
Well crap. Two hours to kill in the Mall in the middle of the day. On a Tuesday. OK, I’ll take advantage of this and do a “Mall Walk” (circle the Mall and walk about 1-1/8 miles) and stop in places that I can think of where I may actually have some business. First – stop at Herbergers (department store). Do a bit of pre-shopping for Jody for a few new duds for her upcoming trip to DC. Find a few things, make a mental note that a 20% sale starts on Wednesday (today) and resume my walk.
Cutlery USA. I remember they offer sharpening services. Walk in, inquire, am assured it’s overnight service, and then hand over the two blades I’m carrying. Scare a customer in the process when I snap open my Blur to show the owner of the shop that the black anodized finish isn’t holding up as well as I thought it would (there’s a reason they call it a Blur). Wouldn’t trade it for anything, though. Settle up and resume my walk.
Hit Target, because my eyes are itching and watering so bad it’s nearly blinding me. Between everything our 40 mph winds kicked up on Monday, and all the scents from the perfume counters, candle shops, Body Works shop... my allergies are going like 90. Buy some Visine-A eye drops and apply several times. I can see again. Resume my walk back to the other end of the Mall. Arrive back at Sears when the two hours are up. Peer out the window to the shop and see Phred up on a hoist with no shooz on his hind feet.
Find out that all tires had been removed from the rims, new tires installed, and now a tech was balancing them. Sit in the waiting room and read a boring car magazine from 3 years ago. Just before 1:30, Phred was ready. But wait… why are there 2 of his old tires being loaded into the back of Phred? Well, someone had written up the order to reflect that I wanted them to dispose of (and pay the disposal fee for) only 2 tires. No, I don’t want to haul home 2 used tires, so just add the extra $4 and take those 2 as well. Sorry, this ticket is now closed. Fine. I’ll give you $4 cash – just take them out of Phred. I can’t do that – ticket is closed. Write a new ticket, then. I don’t know how…. MANAGER! They removed the tires and comp’d the $4. Big spenders.
OK – now to Wally World to pick up one prescription and go home. Walk up to the window to find a sign “Pharmacy closed until 2:00 PM while the Pharmacist is at lunch”. Great. 25 minutes to kill wandering around The Evil Empire. I’m hungry, a bit low on blood sugar, getting crankier by the second… So I hit the McD’s embedded in this place for a quick burger and a milk. Kills enough time to then go back to the Pharmacy counter. Where I find a line a mile long – stretching all the way back into the greeting cards with people waiting until their digital watches strike (metaphorically, of course) 2:00 PM. I get to wait several minutes, having to listen to a seven year old open and hear every musical greeting card on the shelves. At least the line moves quickly (starting at 2:01 according to my digital watch) and I’m on my way.
Home. Next on list – call Humana, my Medicare Part D provider. I find out they still have not canceled my membership and have been taking $42 bucks from me every month, even though I chose a new provider in December and told them to cancel in January. “I don’t see any notes that you’ve called us this year…” selective amnesia. Get it canceled for sure, only to find out on the next call that my new Part D may not qualify. In which case I get to choose a different provider, but be penalized with a 1% surcharge for not being able to understand, or worse, follow the convoluted rules set up by W’s administration. Finally, after 45 minutes on the phone, get it straightened out. All is well in W’s “Magical Prescription Drug Plan Mystery Tour”.
The day was not a total loss. We enjoyed a very nice dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, with a couple of representatives of a contractor with whom Jody is working – they're doing an energy audit and installing a lot of “green” components on a very large HVAC system on one of GJHA’s properties. The meal and the company were good. I even got complimented on my Italian pronunciation of the dishes. "You must have taken Italian courses." I bit my toungue, recalling all the various phonetic lessons necessary to sing operas in Italian, German, French, Italian... and said, "no... but mille grazi."
Today should be a better day. Without having to move to Australia…
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