Archive | December, 2024

Organized Religion is Overrated

30 Dec

Our rector had to be out of state yesterday, so he asked me last week if I’d be willing to do the traditional service of Lessons and Carols on the 29th – yesterday. “The musician has the list of hymns so you’re all set.”

No problem.

The Squire and I got to church a little early so I could get robed, but there was no sign of the musician. We waited. And waited. And waited. At nearly quarter past the hour, The Squire dragged out his cell phone and called. We woke him up.

I stumbled through Morning Prayer – thank God and Thomas Cranmer for the Book of Common Prayer – and made my apologies to the members of the congregation.

I am not happy with the musician.

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You’re The Old Lady

2 Dec

My standard answer whenever someone asks me how I’m doing is, “Not bad for an old lady.” Some people nod and agree with me, others tell me I’m not old, and others ask me how old I actually am. When I say I’m 82 I’ve been told I don’t look my age often enough I’m beginning to believe my own publicity.

We had a service of Lessons and Carols today at Resurrection, with a guest organist whom I remembered from the last time he played for us – Easter, I think. We’d had a version of the above conversation, and I had told him my skin care routine. Cold cream twice, and wash with Noxzema.

When I shook his hand and told him it was good to see him again, he took a moment to place me, and then his face lit up. “I remember you! You’re the really old lady!”

Thanks a heap, kiddo, but I guess to a 25-year-old – if that – I guess somebody my age is really old.