I’m going to have a longer post here soon in the preparedness category, thanks to a wonderful person who arranged for a counter-top water distillation system to show up on my doorstep. I love it already, and there will be a good post on water filtration and water distillation as the counter-top unit was not the only thing to arrive on my doorstep. For now, to the wonderful person who sent the counter-top unit: thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! My thanks also to those who shared knowledge, sparked some conversations on filtration and related, and for the other items that showed up at my doorstep: Thank You!
Oh, the distillation unit can also be used to create essential oils, hydrosols, and more. Let me also say some new items have shown up on my wish list. 🙂
More soon.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
NOTE: I wrote this yesteday on X and wanted to share it here as well. Adding a bit to flesh it out a bit.
I’ve been offline a good bit recently because of my “work” at my Church. It’s not a paid job, and while it is work for which I volunteer it is not a typical “volunteer” position type thing. It is very much a labor of love, and a chance to grow in Faith and in knowledge of the Faith. It is also part of why I am going back to school, as I officially started a class (online) at a well-regarded Greek Orthodox seminary today (Monday).
The “work” I do is, on the surface, fairly mundane. I am helping our Deacon (which is almost like an Assistant Priest in a protestant church, though that’s not a great analogy). The Deacon is not a Priest, but is one step below being a Priest. They do a lot of work in the Sanctuary and at the Altar to help the Priest with their duties. Some of that work is fairly mundane, such as taking care of the olive oil lamps (lampadas) and candles.
What I do is go in an hour or two ahead of a service, and take care of the lampadas and candles in the Sanctuary. Quick note: I can only work on those in the sanctuary as I am not authorized to enter the altar area. In the Orthodox Church, there are limits on who can go where and do various things. One has to be tonsured (will explain that in a minute) as an altar server (and/or reader) to enter the altar area and even then you are generally supposed to have the blessing of the priest to do so. You are also not allowed to touch items on the altar proper unless instructed to do so by the Priest. Really, only the Deacon and the Priest can touch or handle items on the altar. That includes any candles or lampada on the altar.
Tonsuring is a special ceremony that is only done by Bishops, Metropolitans, or the Patriarch of the Church. Rather than shaving a head, it involves cutting hairs from different parts of the head and burning them in a censure (incense burner) during a special ceremony/service. There are different levels of tonsure that apply to one’s duties. For example, I am a Chanter and as such I sing in the choir and can read certain prayers, Psalms, and Old Testament readings. To read from certain portions of the New Testament and other prayers, I would have to be tonsured as a reader. To be an altar server and help with the services I would need to be tonsured as an altar server. To read from the Gospel proper, one really needs to be a Deacon or Priest (in most Orthodox Churches, my understanding is that Sub-Deacons can’t read the Gospel). To be moved up and trained takes time (you have to do previous level for various periods) and the approval/direction of the Priest and then earn the blessing of the Bishop (or higher).
Now, to bring this back home, a Sanctuary usually has a number of lampada and candles. This is on top of any lampada and candles on the altar or in the altar area. In our Church, we have ten prayer candle stands with lampadas, service candles, and at least one hanging lampada that are my responsibility. What I am doing is taking care of such in our Sanctuary, which frees the Deacon up for other things and for him to take care of those in the altar area.
It’s not rocket science but it is a bit more than some may realize. I have to prepare wicks for the lampada which takes time. In fact, one of my goals this week is to make about a dozen wicks and have them ready for use. These have to fit into the floating holders in the lamp, and threading them into same can be a bit of a challenge. Part of what I do in making the wicks is ensuring that they can be easily worked into those floating holders.
Of those with wicks already in place, you have to raise up the wick with special tweezers, trim them with a special trimmer, and then adjust things so that you have roughly the same-size flame in each lamp. Since it seems each floating holder is different, you can’t just count on having the wick set to a uniform height. I’m actually OC enough I measure the flame on each lamp to ensure they are all close to the same height.
One also, of course, has to fill the lamps to a uniform depth with olive oil, make sure there are no spills, things are clean, etc. Nor can you just take a paper towel and toss it afterwards as trimmings, wicks, bits of wick, spilled oil and such have to be put into a Holy Burn Bag for proper disposal.
Then there is the fun joy of trying to fish prayer candle ends out of holders when they have burned down into the holder. Before I got to be the person fishing them out, I used to be a lot more willing to let candles burn down low. Not so much anymore. Thing is, certain sized candles are almost impossible to get out, necessitating taking the stand apart, putting the part with the candle holders into an oven, and melting the beeswax out. I’ve gotten fairly good at getting enough wax out using an old pair of hemostats such that we can keep using the stand without having to do that. I mean, we do it twice a year as part of cleaning and polishing, but it is nice not to have to do it more than that.
Service candles can be fun since they are in glass holders. There are a few tricks to making them easy to get out; but, they don’t always work. One is to put some water in the bottom of the holder. Get it right and when a votive or other such candle burns down, it is easy to get that base out. Get it wrong and either the candle will suck up the water and stop burning, or when not enough water is in the holder you have to scrape it out (or melt it out). Trying to work out a recalcitrant candle is also fun in that using the standard tool (a screwdriver) you can break the glass holder and cut yourself. I’ve avoided it so far and would like to continue that.
There is an order to the lighting of the different lamps and candles; and, while there is supposed to be an order for putting them out, enthusiastic volunteers generally make that a moot point. For me, I also do a number of prayers and venerations as I go. One of the more interesting things I’ve found is that I am learning more about some of the saints as I go. I recently found myself drawn to St. Gabriel of Georgia, got curious, and started learning more about him. Neat thing is, he is recent so there are some photos and such of him. The saints are supposed to challenge us, and some do pose quite the challenge to live up to what they did, and did over time.
I also take care of some more mundane things, like being sure our wireless microphone has fresh batteries off the charger. I do some minor maintenance, make sure other things are cut on/off, tissues are out, etc. I also ensure the front doors are open at the proper time and that various things are secure.
Once I’ve done all this and gotten everything lit, I switch to being a Chanter and depending on the service (vespers, matins, etc.) I may be pulling things together so we have what we need for the service. My Deacon is working to teach me how to pull vespers and matins from scratch as it were, which involves about eight different books. Give me a year or ten and I will get there. I’m also working with our Priest on something similar, which is helping to pull together the handouts for Saturday vespers and matins.
Which is why I started a class on liturgics today (Monday) at a seminary. If things go well with this course, and with my journey of Faith, I could end up attending that seminary in person for a degree and certificate. The path I am on can lead to several different destinations (church administration, monastic life, the Deaconate, and Priesthood are the main ones). We will see what happens, as the destination is not up to me.
Right now, I’m exhausted as the last few weeks have seen the Nativity [Jan. 7 as we are old (Julian) calendar] running though to Theophany. I’ve lost track of the number of services this last week but can tell you that yesterday (Sunday) was a marathon of around 14 hours for me. Started with liturgy at the usual time, then a special service to bless the waters (inside) and consecrate/create Holy Water for the year (we can make more later at need, which is good given that our Church is growing and I doubt we have enough). A fun thing we do as part of this is at the end: everyone, everything, and everywhere gets sprinkled/blessed with the new Holy Water: from the attic to the basement and everywhere and everything in between gets it. We all line up to be blessed in a similar manner. It is a time of laughter and joy along with the Grace and Blessing of the Lord. After a short break, we then did about a two hour special service preparing for this morning’s service.
The ice altar was made by a parishioner at the Serbian Church out of ice cut from the river. Photo provided by a friend.
That service as a joint service at the local Serbian Orthodox Church (we are part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the difference between Orthodox Churches is primarily the language as the same basic liturgy, written in the 400s, is used in all; and, I would mention that in the U.S. many/most Orthodox Churches are using English as the primary language). We did an indoor liturgy (a liturgy is a service where the Eucharist is partaken), and then went down to the White River and did an outdoor blessing of the waters. As typical for such, this may have been the coldest day of the year so far. At least ,unlike last year, the ramp into the river wasn’t coated with slick ice. It was 9 degrees however, with a stiff wind. Chattering teeth were almost as loud as the singing as we did the service. And, at the end, we were once again blessed with the holy water which froze as it went through the air or hit our clothing. It was fun, but I was glad for hot soup and hot coffee afterwards.
Yes, it was a multi-page service with a fair bit of singing and chanting. Photo courtesy of a friend.
One thing I should mention is that after a liturgy there generally is a meal. Since we fast from food and drink for 8-12 hours beforehand (NOTE: I think 6 hours is the minimum, but for a Sunday liturgy many stop after dinner so you end up going 8-12 hours), so we are properly prepared for the Eucharist, we have a community meal (usually a pitch-in) after the service. I admit that the first thing I go for is coffee, as food or anything else can wait as I am craving the Water of Wakefulness at that point.
The Serbian Church is growing to the point they are having to build a new Church. Ours is growing also, and that seems to be a trend nationwide.
So, that’s a bit of why I haven’t been online much the last week. I’m also thankful that there was nothing I HAD to do for the class today, or at least nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow as my brain is fried at this point. I am going to relax, find some cute animal videos, and rest up so I can hit the ground running tomorrow morning on my classwork.
Long-time reader and commenter Old Paratrooper has let me know via a comment that he has had a stroke. I’d like to ask you to join me in praying for him and his recovery.
Sorry to be offline for so long, but life has been busy and even a little interesting. I was a small part of multiple different services Christmas Eve including our “midnight” service that runs into Christmas Day (old calendar). We’ve had a number of weekday services as well (‘Tis the Season) and they have kept me busy.
I’ve also started back into (hopefully) regular workouts and even took advantage of a free session with a personal trainer to tweak and add to the workout. My goal is to try to meet with them twice a month to get the most out of my time in the gym.
Unfortunately, I’ve also been reminded not to eat casseroles without double-checking the ingredients. It was only a bite, but that was enough to make yesterday (and even today) not particularly pleasant. If I didn’t mention it before, I’m one of a growing number of people who have developed an issue with a protein in garbanzo beans. Enough of a problem to have sent me to the hospital before.
Yes, I do have more thoughts on Iran and more. It is amazing how Venezuela, Iran, China (and Russia), and the paid protests here are all linked. If the mad mullahs fall (and I hope they do), it knocks the legs out from under more than one country and a large number of not-nice groups. More on this later, but you really need to look at all the work being done by DataRepublican (link in upper right) in that regard.
China may well be the biggest loser out of all as changes come to the world. Their much vaunted military tech failed spectacularly in Venezuela (as did the Russian, which was older); their oil shenanigans have taken quite a hit; and, there is more including some interesting reporting on their true demographics. All of which is having a very negative effect on their Belt and Bend Over initiative (they secure their partners with the belt, which makes it much easier to then bend them over). Add in all that is coming out about their funding of the anti-ICE and other protests, manipulation efforts via Tik-Tok, and other delights, and it is clear why it is good that Trump and company are moving to deal with them, even if indirectly.
BTW, did anyone notice any corporate media coverage of the fact that one of the tankers we seized headed to Venezuela was full of Iranian drones that could hit the Panama Canal, Guantánamo Bay, and other military bases? Long way to go with Venezuela, but taking it out of the equation just made us exponentially safer. I strongly suspect a lot of C&C for various terror cells and terrorists sent into the U.S. over the southern border ran through there, and I hope we can get some good intel as part of the process.
Finally, be careful out there. The idiots are back pushing for a civil war and it would be best for all if we could avoid it. Many thoughts on that, hope to be able to get to them soon.
For now, be prepared and be safe. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. I see a LOT of cause for optimism, and unfortunately a lot of chances for idiots to mess things up in their grasping, gasping, corruption. Let’s push on the optimism and do what we can for that better future.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
A new day has dawned along with a new year, and I hope all of you came through the night relatively unscathed. I have to admit that for the first time in about a decade I went out for a bit. Nothing too crazy, some friends had a small group of people over after the prayer service for the. new year at our Church. I was home well before midnight and the only mistake I made was upon getting home I sat down and decided I would read for just a few minutes…
Unlike a number of pundits and such, I don’t regard 2025 as a dumpster fire or all that horrible. It was, in fact, a year with a lot of positive changes. I will admit that “positive” does not always equal “pleasant.” That said, let’s step outside the box and look at 2025 from a different perspective.
One of the first things to look at is that in 2025 the process of starting to save the Republic truly got off the ground and we avoided a civil war. Note that I said “starting to save” as there is still a LOT of work to do to turn things around, and things can still go south on us in a heartbeat; and, that we avoided a civil war then. We are still, in my opinion, tap dancing on the edge of the razor, but the edge is a little thicker now which starts to provide more options and flexibility of you will.
Yes, a lot of horrible corruption was exposed last year, from USAID to daycare centers, and I suspect more is to come. Fact is, sunlight has indeed hit on the festering mess and despite corporate media and politicians/bureaucrats (of all stripes) being in on it and trying desperately to keep it out of the public eye, the average citizen is starting to be aware. Where corporate media won’t go, intrepid independent journalists are there and the work they are doing is amazing. It will take years for all the investigations and yes some are likely to skate; but, faucets are getting turned off and that may keep us from bleeding out financially.
Along those lines, the corruption of federal law enforcement is getting some sunlight as well. Things can still reset to Biden Regency levels of corruption in a heartbeat, but enough changes are in process that I see hope there. I still think the FBI too damaged for rehabilitation, but the process there is underway as well. Again, it will take time as you have to identify, fire, and then replace. Quite a few at the FBI and DOJ have taken themselves out, which is good. Finding good replacements for them does take time however. For just one example, the changes Harmeet Dhillon is making in the civil rights division are much needed and long overdue. The real bottleneck now, for her and most offices, is finding and hiring GOOD people.
Another positive sign is that race cards and similar are being declined in record numbers for being overdrawn. The public is tired of it and not putting up with it in ways large and small. A lot of groups are finding out that when they block streets and such that the public is quite willing to deal more directly with things when LE and local politicians won’t act. Be aware though that this is a mixed bag, as there are still those (especially overseas) who would love to help push us into a civil war.
Along those lines, X courtesy of Elon Musk, has been not only allowing relatively free speech (still some issues IMO) but has unmasked a huge amount of information operations including an amazing amount of foreign interference. I’m not just talking the goose-stepping bureaucrats of the EU, but when X exposed all the alleged MAGA/AF/ETC accounts that turned out to be foreign it was delightful. Thing is, we need to keep the lights on and extend their reach to keep them running and not thinking of coming back anytime soon.
2025 also saw some very positive steps towards taking humanity to the stars. With the removal of the Biden Regency, Space X was able to push Starship’s testing schedule to something reasonable. This has led to a number of improvements and puts Starship on a good trajectory for use. Also, if you are one of those low-synapse people out there, what Elon and Space X are doing is condensing the equivalent of the rocketry development of the late 1940s and 1950s into roughly a three year program. In all seriousness, by deliberately sacrificing these early Starship designs (and finding out how far you can break them and still have them work) they are skipping a decade or more of development. Also, if you think we didn’t lose rockets back then, you’ve never seen any of the Nevergo (Navajo) and other launch failures.
Despite a setback, NASA finally got a new administrator and we are fortunate it is “Rookie” Jared Isaacman. The man has a plan, and if he is able/allowed to implement it both NASA and America will be much better off. If you’ve read me over the years, you might have gotten a hint (cough, choke, wheeze) that I think NASA has lost its way and needs some serious reform. For all that certain elements of Congress and the military/space industrial complex have been screaming and fighting against Isaacman from the moment his name was first floated, the bloat needs to go. NASA has been the largest bottleneck to space commercialization, space exploitation, and even space exploration for far too long. If the “Rookie” can start to return NASA to it’s charter mission rather than it’s non-mandated expansion, I’d be willing to bet we go further and get more done in the next ten years than we have in the last fifty.
There are a host of similar changes, but the world is not just politics. 2025 also saw a growing number of people return to Faith, particularly in traditional Christian Churches. There have been a number of amazing medical breakthroughs, and a number of blockages to effective research have been removed. There were a number of scientific discoveries that not only will change our understanding of this world, but may help improve the quality of life within it. There is more, but I’m getting tired and hopefully you are getting the point.
On a personal note, 2025 saw changes to health, Faith, and more. There are some things that happened in my past that were not pleasant. Healing from them has not been fun or easy, and in fact it was somewhat debilitating at times this year. Worth it though for the progress made. My physical health, along with mobility, balance, and such, has improved as well. Do I wish I had gotten the physical and massage therapy sooner? Yep. Sure do. Thing is, glad I got it now as I can again ride a bike and am starting to do some serious workouts.
The idea of a pilgrimage for spiritual growth and discernment moved from a crazy dream to practical reality in 2025. The original plans have pretty much been scrapped, and that is a very good thing. What has been developed instead will be much more immersive and hopefully illuminating. Yes, I am still going to get to do the cooking lessons, but they are now part of a much richer opportunity. I’ll be sharing more details soon I hope.
I’m doing more at Church, and getting taught how to do even more. I start my first online seminary course later this month. Well, first formal as I have been doing the “fun” course the last few weeks.
Looking at 2025 from this angle, I’d say it was a year of many needed positive changes. The changes and what they revealed, or require in response, may have not always been pleasant. However, growth of any type — mental, physical, or spiritual — is rarely painless. Growth spurts in children leave them aching, tired, and often grumpy. Yet, that growth spurt takes them to a new stage of life.
Just as a child can’t go back to where they were before a growth spurt, we can’t return to where things used to be. What we can do is try to take the opportunities presented and make the world better on as many levels and in as many ways as we can. Won’t always be pleasant, but growth — particularly positive growth — rarely is so. The best we can do is run with the positive change and make it as pleasant as possible, long-term, for as many as possible. Strikes me as a worthy goal for 2026.
So, let’s keep dancing and see if we can move beyond the razor’s edge to more solid footing. May 2026 be not just a year of continuing positive change, but good year for us all.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
May your day be Blessed and filled with light, love, and all the things that truly matter. May the kids/grandkids/yourselves be delighted with what awaits under the tree, while not forgetting the birth that is the reason for the season.
I have Vespers this evening, and a service tomorrow morning though not a Christmas service. Our Church is Old Calendar, so Christmas for us will be on January 7, which is December 25th on the Old Calendar. Interestingly enough, January 7 and December 25th were the two dates debated by the early Church for the Birth of Jesus, which was less an argument about the date of birth as it was about the date of conception.
Me, I will enjoy tomorrow and hope to do my usual Christmas call with my Uncle who is about the last immediate family left. He’s 90 now and I do need to get down to visit one day soon. On the 7th I can focus on the spiritual, which is a good thing.
Since it keeps me busy, and sometimes from regular posting, thought I would share some photos that catch a bit of what I’ve been up to. I will note that I call our Church a TARDIS church as it is much bigger on the inside than it looks to be on the outside. Here’s some of what I’ve been up to recently.
Our Deacon is out of town, so I stopped by yesterday morning on my way to St. Nicholas church to take care of a few things. This put me in right at sunrise, so I got a few shots to share. These are okay, but really do make me want to upgrade the phone/camera before the pilgrimage…
The big windows at sunrise…
A closer view of the big window. The Lord’s face is dark because over the hundred-plus years this has been up, sunlight has reacted with the pigment used on his face. The windows have been restored, but there is nothing we know of that can be done about the aging of the pigment.
The flanking windows
The Iconostasis and altar area being slowly illuminated by the rising sun. It is fun and fascinating to see beams of light come in and at different times on different days of the year, illuminate faces and things as if the entire layout was planned that way.
We also had a special visitor at Vesper’s the other night: St. Nicholas himself.
It was such fun to watch the children interact with him, and each got a small treat from him.
This is where I spent most of my time during the Christmas Village. The bar is a replica from the Eagle and Child pub where the Inklings — a group of writers including Lewis and Tolkien — met each week. We normally use it for Bible study, small events and discussions, and such but once a year it becomes a full pub complete with temporary license. Hence the 21 sign which is not there normally. (smile).
One of our new attendees is a professional mural artist and she painted this in a matter of just a few hours, and has volunteered to help touch-up or repaint some of our existing set pieces as they sorta need it after 30+ years.
I managed to get out from the Lampost Saturday afternoon and caught a couple of shots in the main Village. It was a good turnout but not frantic which was nice. I ended up out a good bit of Saturday afternoon as I helped with caroling, singing, and working in the Sanctuary answering questions and helping get it ready for Vespers.
Also, today I finally got my little tree decorated and plugged in for the season. Life is good. I hope your lives are as well, and that the Season is good for you. More soon, though I warn you that between now and January 7 there will be a LOT of services keeping me busy.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Well, the annual Old World Christmas Village was a success and I mostly survived it. Had some issues yesterday that I suspect were a result of only eating one real meal a day for several days and then eating some very rich food. Bouncing back, though tired from a week plus of long days helping get ready for the event. Totally worth it. Just sorry I missed meeting one person who came by.
That out of the way, I want to thank everyone who has donated towards my seminary course(s) including covering my deposit! I can’t tell you how much I do appreciate that. I’ve spent part of this morning working on getting set-up via the online system and think I’ve got the important things done. I need to go back and take care of some minor things, but there is no rush on some of those. Almost wish I was an in-person student as they are doing some cooking lessons on campus that sound wonderful.
There is more to come this week. I am behind on posts, but will get caught up — one day. It’s going to be a busy week, as it also appears that I will be switching gyms. Have the chance to join a much nicer facility courtesy of silver sneakers, which will give me a lot more workout options over winter. More on that soon. We also have some extra services this week, so that is also a factor. Even with all that is going on, hope to get some things done here.
More soon, very soon, I hope!
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Well, I think I alluded to it here, but it is now official: I’ve been accepted as a non-degree student (HCHC Open Learning program) at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. What this means is that I am going to be taking some online courses from them in the next year plus. During that time, based on discernment and growth, I have the option to apply for degree or certificate programs.
This is a very different path for me, and it is one that has several possible destinations. For me, simply walking the path is a start towards something I feel drawn towards. Ever since I got up after the lightning strike, I’ve felt drawn towards a new path. I’m simply happy to be walking it, and am very happy to leave the destination to the Lord. I know that I will be guided towards that which is right, be it some form of monastic life, academic or administrative work, the Deaconate, or Clergy. I am content to let the destination be revealed in due time.
If anyone cares to hit the tip jar, it would be very much appreciated. Right now, there is not a lot of financial aid available, and I need to start paying fees and such ASAP as I have a $200 payment that has to be made now. My goal is to take at least one course starting in January, preferably two, and each course is $1,500.00. Any and all help is appreciated, especially as I still need (more than ever) to do my pilgrimage next year for spiritual growth and discernment. See the link above for more details.
I’m still going to be here, still offering pithy takes on things of interest, noting the struggle against the godless authority, and more. That said, I also plan to share some of what I learn in the process of walking this new path.
So, please do feel free to hit the tip jar above (upper right corner). Also, please do feel free to offer prayers for me. I need them.
Thank you all, particularly my regular readers. It has been an interesting time these last few years, and it does give an additional twist to my starting a new life. Not at all what I expected when I first thought a new life would be moving out West. The journey now continues but towards a truly new life. I hope you will continue to check in and share a bit of that journey in the days ahead.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
As with most years, there is so much for which to be thankful this year. With so much negative, and even evil, tidings going around it is far too easy to get sucked into a negative mindset and viewpoint. I’m sure the evil one delights in it; but, life is much better for us with a positive focus. Rather than looking at the world, take a moment to look at the small picture that is yourself.
For me, I would start with my health. On top of long-term chronic conditions, getting hit by lightning four-plus years ago wasn’t exactly helpful in a number of respects. Heck, between what hit directly and what came in through inductance, I effectively lit up like the element on an electric stove. Seems like it was just a couple of years ago we were looking at yet more heart surgery.
Instead, after my baptism, the damage done to my heart healed completely. Doesn’t mean I can’t and won’t have future heart problems, just that the damage done by the lightning has healed. Along the way, we may have fixed some other issues that might have been building. Tests this year show things continuing to tick along nicely (all puns intended) and that I’m good to getting back to good workouts at the gym. Need to get my lazy rump back to such…
This year, my mobility has improved rather dramatically. I got around, but my right shoe shows a lot of damage from not being lifted and placed correctly; and, I found it easy to get down but not so easy to get back up. The “new” neurologist worked with me to get the physical therapy I should have had about four years ago (right after I was hit), and despite some payment issues (always appeal claim denials!), the physical therapy got me to the point I can now run with it on my own (figuratively speaking).
On top of that, I was introduced to a wonderful massage therapist by a friend at Church. Before taking me on, she researched lightning strikes and massage/therapy related to same. One of the more interesting things she found is that the fascia (which surrounds muscles, blood vessels, etc.) can and does harden from the shock. While it has not been pleasant, she has broken a lot of that up by her work. Net result is that on top of the physical therapy, I’m moving my legs and feet in ways I’ve not been able to for four years. All of which is helping me start getting back into the shape I want to be in.
There are some digestive issues that have popped up since the lightning strike. Not surprising in many respects, but we’ve been able to dial in some simple changes to my diet and routine that limit the impact. We are working to take my diet a bit more towards Mediterranean now, but this year has seen a good bit of improvement. While the accidental verification this year that I am one of the growing number of people who have problems with garbanzo beans (like trip to the hospital level problems) was not fun, it is good to know and has helped cut down some problems.
While I technically went on disability last December, a lot of things didn’t really kick in until this spring. It is nice to have a steady income and resources, for all that it is not lucrative. It gets me by and with help from you and from friends, I not only get by but also can pursue a few opportunities for growth.
One such is the religious pilgrimage I will be taking next year. This is a trip for spiritual growth and discernment that will take me from our “home” church to Mount Athos in Greece, allowing me to learn more about my faith, experience different and important traditions, and grow both spiritually and as a person. It will build on some of the things I do at my Church, such as being a Chanter and helping with preparations for services.
Another such is the recent opportunity to apply for online learning at a seminary. While that is an ongoing process, if it is approved, I will have the chance to take a course (or courses depending on financial assistance) to verify that I am up to that level of work and learning (the tests say yes, I seek practical validation via real-life data). This not only will apply to those courses, but to any potential formal study at a seminary.
I’ve also been blessed with the gift of a car. It may not be much to look at, but it runs, seems to be mechanically solid, and it has already been a blessing. It lets me get to and from Church much more easily and despite weather; it has let me run errands related to the Church and activities there; and, it has made grocery shopping much, much easier. Even with insurance, fuel, and such, right now it is saving me money as I am not using Lyft to do these things. I’m grateful for Lyft and what it let me do this last year, but I’m also quite grateful not to be dependent upon it.
I also enjoy and appreciate the blessing that is you, my readers. Some of you have been reading me for years, either here or at Blackfive. Some of you are newer. All of you are appreciated, and your comments, suggestions, and critiques help make this blog, and make it a home for rational discourse and discussion. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.
On top of that, regular and other readers have hit the tip jar (upper right for those new here) and made gifts, given gifts through the Amazon Wish List, etc. Those, along with the prayers offered, are very much appreciated as well.
There is more, much more, for which I am thankful this year. However, this gives both me, and you my wonderful readers, a place to start for further Thanksgiving. Don’t just take a moment, take time throughout the day to give thanks for the wonder and bounty within it (even for annoying friends and relatives) for it all makes our lives richer and fuller.
For me, I will close with thanks that I am alive and capable of starting to walk a very new path. I know not where it leads, but I am content with that as the preliminary destination is not up to me. That is up to another, and I am thankful to have this opportunity.
Thank you all for making this last year a wonderful and blessed time. We don’t always appreciate it as it is happening, and it can be hard to see at times; but, it all happens for the good.
May your day be Blessed and full of thanks at the bounty in our lives. Remember that while we enjoy the bounty of food and plenty, that the true bounty are the people in our lives and the Grace that surrounds us. May your day be bright and warm with both.
