Bfth's Boring Blog

 Late Wednesday night (November 20th) it started to rain.  I woke up and I could hear this noise, which I determined to be a downpour.  I'm not a big fan of rain, but the last time we'd had rain in our corner of the Northeast was September 29th.  That was the weekend that I returned from Walt Disney World, avoiding a hurricane in the process.  That's a long time!   While I love the sun and warm weather, even I know that we need some rain.  Being in the mountains, I also knew that snow was going to be a thing.  (Or did I?  Was I hiding my head in the sand after living in a pretty much snowless couple of years?) The point being that we finally got some much needed rain Wednesday night into Thursday.  But we also got a snow warning!  Now I've faced snow in October (2011:  the Halloween that wasn't) as well as November. It happens. Was I prepared?  Sort of.  In anticipation of the rain, hubby and I went to...

  With the holiday just around the corner, the ghosts of Thanksgivings past have come to haunt me.  This year, like last year, will be different.  It will be different from last year.  It will be different from the year before.  Since 2018 they have all been different. Before then they were mostly the same.  We (my husband, my son and I) would have dinner with my parents and my aunt Julie (who isn't related by blood, but by love).  For a while (when my son was young), we'd have this meal at my parents’ house, which was right next door to ours.  (It's where we had most of our holiday gatherings).  Over time, we migrated to our house (probably around 2013, or maybe a year later.) Because I can't eat turkey (or any kind of poultry), we'd have beef or maybe ham (free ham from ShopRite!).  There were the other "standards" of the day:  mashed potatoes, green bean casserole (which wasn't really a casserole because my mom taught me to m...

 We've been living in the Poconos (part time remember because I have to be in NJ for work several days a week) for nearly months now.  If you think I have "it" (whatever it may be), down you'd be wrong.  I've been exploring the area little by little.  I've visited two churches (neither of which are my domination).  One very close to the house which was lovely, the people were nice and the choir director/pianist was wonderful.  The other is further away and is also lovely, however the people aren't just nice, they are warm and inviting (without being smothering) Neither is perfect for me, I'm thinking the later (despite the fact that it is 8 miles away while the other is less than a mile) is where I will spend more time because of the people (who I hope to get to know better...while I love our quiet and somewhat remote location, I also need a sense of community).  I shop regularly (too regularly) at the local market (because I keep needing items at...

The day before Halloween my manager's manger gave everyone who dressed up a treat.  We could take a complimentary half day.  Since I spent the past 5 days my own in NJ while my husband stayed in P, I decided Wednesday (11/13) would be my day.  That way I could drive to early in the afternoon to PA while it was still light out.   However it's Q4 so we are really busy in the office.  I decided to go in early (even earlier than usual).  I haven't been sleeping well so when I woke up at 3:45 (after being awake from 1:30 to nearly 3:00) from a bizarre and upsetting dream I decided it was time to get up and get going.   It was still dark when I left the house just after 6.  Thankfully I bought a glow stick that I hang off my bag so that people can see me walking (I want to be seen!) and so the bus driver can see me too! The 6:13 was on time and there were more passengers than I expected. (Guess everyone needs to get in early!  But despite m...

Today is Veterans Day. The day where we officially recognize veterans for all the work that they have done. Of course we should not just recognize, honor and respect our veterans on one day in November, however this is the day that is especially marked on the calendar for this unique group of individuals.  This country would not exist without veterans. Think of those who fought to create our new country back during the American Revolution. Those who fought a tyrannical king so that we could form a new nation. A nation where ideally all would be free.  Today is the day to remember the men who fought for us so that we could be a new nation. But we know that the ideal of America would not be easy. When this country was founded not all were free. (Even today not all are free but let's not discuss that now.). Because of slavery a new war was fought.  Brother was pitted against brother. Our nation was torn apart.  The Union prevailed.  We can thank veterans for that. ...

  Note:  As some of you may know, I have occasionally filled the pulpit at my church which is in NJ.  I made a commitment to fill in this Sunday months ago.  I had no idea that I'd be buying a house in the Poconos and spending much of my time there OR what would be happening in our country.  And yet I think the scriptures I chose (which do not follow the lectionary)  and the mediation I prepared are timely.  Take a read and let me know what you think!  Please note also that out of respect for the people I spoke about in my mediation, I have eliminated their names and only used their initials. First Reading:  Psalm 98:  Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of o...

Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...