Bfth's Boring Blog

  I've been boycotting Target like so many others.  But to be honest, I wasn't really boycotting because there wasn't one near me and when I did go to one it was either a mess or didn't have what I wanted or needed. Why would I go?   So while I was disappointed in Target's changes when it comes to what I would like to call humanity (as in ALL people should be treated with respect and diversity is an important and good thing), it didn't prevent me from going, it just wasn't a place I was going to go out of my way to shop at unless absolutely necessary (which it rarely was). However, a Target has recently opened nearby.  It's been all the buzz.  This huge gap at a strip mall which once housed K Mart (before that Caldor and I believe before that Korvettes) and was a testing and vaccination site during the height of Covid (where my son got tested right before Christmas 2021...although we didn't really need the test, practically every kid he had been in...

 Someone told me I had a "good voice" on religion.  I'll take that compliment, but I am really just a "normal" person (or as normal as I can be).  When it comes to "organized religion" (is there such a thing) in the Christian faith (because there is so much more out there), I am not stuck with one particular denomination While I am officially a member of the Presbyterian Church, I have also worshipped in Episcopal, Methodist, and Congregational churches.  For me, it's not about the "title" or branch, but what the congregation does and how they act. I would be happy anywhere, as long as the congregation follows what my understanding of Christianity is.  That is:  "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”...

It's Easter.  THE holiest of days for Christians.  While I realize that this is a NOT a Christian nation (and too many people seem to have forgotten that), it is an important day for many.  Even those who do not observe/celebrate recognize that.  I have friends of different faiths as well as those who do not identify with any form of religion and all of them support, recognize and honor each other's beliefs.  And that is how it should be.  We should wish our Jewish siblings a Happy Passover.  (Because Passover is an important part of the Easter story.)  We should wish our Muslim siblings a Blessed Ramadan.  Dare I say that doing so and acknowledging each other's beliefs is the Christian thing to do? On this cold(ish) and rainy Easter morning, I got up and dressed in my Easter attire (which originally had been my Palm Sunday attire, but it was way too cold for it last Sunday) and (sadly) put on my tights and pumps (I really wanted to show off ...

 I was going to title this post Jesus Christ Superstar vs Godspell , but that wouldn't be fair.  I love both musicals.  I can sing every lyric from both.  They both had an incredible influence on me growing up (and to this day) and to be honest, as a youth they taught me more than any Sunday school class.  (Or maybe I just wasn't in the right space for church learning at the time.)  Every single year I watch them both on Holy Week.  (Usually Good Friday, but not always.  I do however, always watch.)  This being Holy Saturday seemed for me to be a good time to talk about them both.  Remember, these are my thoughts and experiences...you don't have to agree (or disagree) with me.  But be open and thoughtful. Jesus Christ Superstar came first for me.  As I have said my mom had the Broadway album (which did NOT include the whole show.  WHY?), and I listened to it a lot.  I was torn if I wanted to sing the r...

  It's Good Friday.  For me that's the day that my Holy week traditions started.  As a little kid, it was all about listening to  Jesus Christ Superstar , an album which my mother got one Easter.  (Turns out it was "highlights" from the original Broadway cast...it took me years to find out there was MORE music!  And say what you will there will never be a better Judas than Ben Vereen!)  When I got older it also meant watching  Godspell  (NY/NJ locals should know that it always aired in the afternoon on channel 9.)  At that time church wasn't my thing.  Sometimes I'd go; sometimes not.  So this music was my tie to Easter story. But things changed (for the better in this case) and I became involved my church again.  (It's amazing what new leadership can do.)  As a young adult, holy week became something I actively participated in.  It wasn't Palm Sunday without palms (obviously) and a singing of "The Palms" ...

Spring has officially been here for nearly two weeks and outside life is blossoming.  (Inside life is blooming as well, which I'll get to.)  While the temperatures today don't necessarily feel like spring (we're only in the 40s...I need better temperatures...PLEASE), we are moving towards warmer and brighter days.  Again, even though it doesn't feel like it today...it's chilly and overcast with drizzle.  Personally, I wish the drizzle would stop and we would get a good soaking rain.  Because if it's going to be wet, let's go all in.  Let's have a good downpour! Why do I want rain when I am such a sun worshipper?  They say April showers bring May flowers and I'm all in for that (although I'd like my flowers sooner please), that's not the reason I want rain.  You see, another sign of spring renewal here is the "opening" of the pond.  What does that entail?  The netting that is placed over it for the winter is removed.  The critters ...