This and That

Good morning blog readers! Happy Hump day.

A few things rattling round in my head this morning…

I am happy that Derek Chauvin was found guilty in his trial about his police brutality, and the murder of George Floyd. I believe Chauvin definitely used excessIve force for a long time and he was responsible for killing Floyd. I am relieved because I feared that if the jury had found him innocent then there would be more demonstrations in the streets, which could have turned to violence. When people are frustrated, not feeling heard, not feeling that they count, then they lash out. I was worried about that happening. This time the right verdict came in. Unfortunately this is one case, and one time the jury got it right and justice was served to Mr. Chauvin. It’s a small ‘right’ moment in a time of a lot of wrong when it comes to race equality. Much work, each day – more ‘good trouble’ – needs to continue.

The past few months, since we now have a new president, I have felt I can dial back my time watching the news. I was living on the edge for four years, hearing crazy talk and watching our government branches tested. It’s just so good right now to know that if I don’t see the news for a day or two we are okay. We are not being led by a president anymore who flies off the handle for some small reason, which usually had to do with his ego. Phew.

I have a question for my church going readers. When you go to church and listen to a sermon, do you want God’s Word to speak directly to the political issues of today? Do you like when your priest or pastor speaks out about how Christians should work for justice, for equality, for laws that will help the poor, the homeless, and such? It’s a tough dividing line. I personally want to hear how we who follow Jesus should work to help our neighbors – in today’s world. Some people prefer to hear the Word and then decide in their own heart and mind how to use it. There are many church choices out there – from the very conservatives to liberally minded. Here in the US we can find a church to ‘fit our needs’ instead of hearing how we are to fit into the needs of others. It’s something I am seeing in my own church and I wonder if parishioners can sit in pews next to each other and accept the differences?

On to something else…

I wrote about this on Facebook, that I had a crazy thing happen to me Friday evening. It was a wake up call! Let me explain. I learned in my young 20’s that I have a severe allergic reaction to eating shellfish. I had moved to Maryland and it was the first time in my life that I tried shellfish. I went out with friends and ordered Crab Imperial. Minutes later I was passed out. I was young so I did not immediately go to see a doctor. But it happened twice more and I learned that I could not safely eat shellfish. Finally in my 40’s I had the complete scratch testing done to see what exactly I was allergic to because I knew others foods and airborne pollen, etc. affected me. Shellfish was my worse reaction but I had quite a few other mild to moderate reactions also. I was living in New Jersey then and I spent a couple of years going regularly to an allergist for shots. First they were twice a week, then once a week – and then I was able to get into a maintenance program with shots once a month. I think they helped. But as life goes, I stopped going for the shots – and I moved. Now, at 64, last week I had a rude awakening to the shellfish allergy. No, I did not eat any. At a restaurant I ordered beef egg rolls as an entree – that we later realized was deep fried in a vat of oil that is used to fry shellfish (crab, shrimp, etc.) So, my entree soaked up all that oil and I ate it . 10 minutes later I was passed out, sweating profusely, in our vehicle. Long story short… my hubby got me to the ER and tests were run to rule out other possible medical conditions that could make me so out of it. Nothing serious was found – thank God. Although the doc did say my EKG had an abnormal reading – so I am seeing a cardiologist Friday.

I was reminded by this episode last Friday that life can change in just a moment! I went from feeling fine, and enjoying myself, to feeling like I was on death’s bed, totally out of any control. Thank God my husband was with me to rush me to the hospital, and to be my advocate there because I could not respond for myself. Life is delicate sometimes. It’s important to have people you can trust who will be there for you.

Speaking of hubby, over these CoVid months, he and I have watched quite a few Netflix and Amazon Plus series. I never was into the Brits and the Royal family very much, but during the last year we watched all of “The Crown” and are now almost done watching “Victoria.” I appreciate the two series because I have learned some interesting history and it’s good to see how other countries run. England is very unique in the Monarchy ruling over everything with extreme power, yet the Prime Minister is the head of government and answers to the queen. Anyway, I think I have my fill of British series for awhile. Any other suggestion for a good series to stream?

A little music is coming back in my life. I am happy to say that the effects of CoVid vaccines, and the chance of being outdoors now in warmer temps, has made it easier to bring some live music back. Our community band played an outdoor concert last Saturday. And, I am going to toot my flute in church this Sunday – safely distanced of course. Handbells are playing in May. I look forward to more live music opportunities starting back up!

Another good thing about the warmer weather: Getting out to walk, to play golf, and to do something to get me off the couch. I’ve sat on it too much over this past year. (Yes, yes – I am sitting on it now as I type this.) My garden is coming back to life and I love to weed and water.

I have also been out picking up trash and litter. The weather is good for it. Earth Day is here! There is an emphasis on cleaning it, Protecting it, and honoring it, in April. Everyone can do a little something to take care of our earth. Recycle, refurnish. Reuse. It’s a good time for the reminder.

Enjoy the rest of your week – and love this wonderful place where we live! Live each day like tomorrow may not be the same… I learned that last Friday. Life can truly change in a minute. Enjoy it NOW! I thank God for getting me through my severe allergy reaction. It was a scary moment that I am using as a reminder of how each day counts!

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