Hope you had a Happy 4th!

It's Sunday night and I am ready to call it a night!  A lot has happened since the last post on June 7th.  Mostly good things!

Even before June 7th I had a bit of news.  I am now the owner of a MacBook.  My PC started overheating and it was getting to be 7 years old.  Newer, faster technology is out here, so I got the courage to go to Apple.  It is great!  Especially now that I am using my wireless router.  More about that later.  So I have a white MacBook with a huge hard drive and mega RAM and processing speed.  It has Bluetooth capability, so I bought a wireless mouse and now need a wireless keyboard.  The graphics on here are great.  I love iTunes for my radio shows and music.  Pics are easily stored and retrieved.  I am glad I made the switch.  Thanks to Dan, Dave and Jon for convincing me to do it.

The middle of June, Mom and I were finally appointed administrators of my aunt's estate.  We had to purchase and file with the court a $140,000 bond to insure we don't run off with any money or property...right!  What a racket!  The judge must know the insurance salesman!  So now we have to inventory monies, properties and big tangible personal property.  Need to finish cleaning the house out, sell it, sell the van.  This whole process has opened my eyes very, very wide.  I have notified my presumed executor of all this that is going on and have assured him I will take steps to avoid all this hassle.  He smiled!

During June, the parish council also was planning a retirement party for our pastor, Fr Bernard Niedergeses.  He has been pastor at Assumption for 38 years.  June 29th was his last Mass as pastor, so we gave him a great party.  We planned a short program in the church with a few speakers.  Rev. Rosemary Brown from the Monroe Street United Methodist Church, and a great friend and Oktoberfest workmate, offered her gracious words and stories.  Mike Emrick also shared the neighborhood's prospective on how much Fr. did to revitalize Germantown.  The most moving part of the program was the choir singing the Blessing of Aaron.  The overflowing congregation was asked to extend their hands in blessing over Father during the song.  It was spectacular!  Then we moved to the school and yard under the big tent for a wonderful meal catered by Michael King from Monell's.  We also had libations of champagne, Chardonnay and a nice red.  The weather was fine and everyone had a nice afternoon.  

Our new pastor is Fr. Mingel (Michael) D'Souza.  He is from the Bombay area of India.  We met with him as a parish council two weeks ago and we all came away relieved that he was going to be good for Assumption.  He'll have some changes no doubt, but he said more than once, "Everything will be the same unless the parish council and the Lord convince me otherwise".  We are taking him at his word.  Today was his first Mass at Assumption and his first time meeting the parishioners.  Since it was the 1st Sunday of the month, we had our normal 1st Sunday brunch after 11:00 Mass.  It was hamburgers and hot dogs picnic style to celebrate the 4th.  Again, another success!

The opening hymn this morning is one of my favorites.  I can't sing worth a lick, but my off-key drone still is a joyful noise to the Lord.  The text is by St. Francis of Assisi 1182-1226 and music from 1623---All Creatures of Our God and King:

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voices let us sing:

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Bright burning sun with golden beams,

Soft silver moon that gently gleams,

Chorus:

O praise him!  O praise him!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Great rushing winds who are so strong,

You clouds above that sail along,

O praise him!  Alleluia!

Fair rising morn with praise rejoice,

Stars nightly shining find a voice,

Chorus

Swift flowing water pure and clear,

Make music for your Lord to hear,

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Fire so intense and fiercely bright,

Who gives to us both warmth and light,

Chorus

Dear mother earth who day by day,

Unfolds your blessings on our way,

O praise him!  Alleluia!

All flow'rs and fruits that in you grow,

Let them his glory also show,

Chorus

All you with mercy in your heart,

Forgiving others take your part,

O sing now!  Alleluia!

All you that pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and cast on him your care:

Chorus

And even you most gentle death,

Waiting to hush our final breath,

O praise him!  Alleluia!

You lead back home the child of God,

For Christ our Lord that way has trod:

Chorus

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship him in humbleness,

O praise him!  Alleluia!

Praise God the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One:

Chorus

(and yes I sang as I typed the words!)

Got a great report from the doctor two weeks ago.  I hadn't been to see him in a year, so i figured I'd be over the limit in all my blood work and readings.  I know I have gained back about 20 pounds of what I lost, and I was ready for him to rip into me.  He said I was weird...I am right at 270, but my sugar was 88, cholesterol 174, sodium 139, triglycerides 147, blood pressure 120/77 and pulse 82.  He couldn't holler much but said I needed to lose a pound a week and keep it off.  Weigh on Saturdays only.  do good during the week and splurge a bit on the weekends.  Exercise, exercise, exercise.  So I am trying my damnedest.  A pound a week doesn't sound bad...a whole lot better than 50 lbs a year--but that is exactly what it is.  Smaller pieces sound more attainable.  So remind me to exercise!

I got the 10 foot ladder from church Thursday after work.  These 13 foot ceilings need it!  I was able to get 5 out of the 6 things done on my list for this weekend--clean the gutters, wash the porch, trim the yard, clean the ceiling fans and finish washing and caulking the bathroom walls.  Since the caulk has to dry a few days, I'll have to get the ladder again soon and paint.  

Friday night was a great fireworks show in downtown Nashville over the Cumberland River.  It started at 9:25 and lasted until about 9:50.  I walked to the Jefferson Street bridge and got my usual spot next to the smokestack.  A perfect view of the fireworks!  Had my water bottle filled with champagne and enjoyed the moment.

So now it's back to work tomorrow...yuck.  Oh well, gotta make due with the hand you're dealt.  I have 5 years and 3 months until I am eligible to retire; it should go quickly.

I bought a wireless router from Tiger Direct along with the Bluetooth mouse.  The mouse was easy to install; the router was a nightmare for me.  I couldn't get it to do anything.  So I put it aside and waited for my friend D to help.  Help he did!  He was here last Tuesday after work and set everything up.  He even knew of some great freebies to use on the Mac.  Alas, he even beat me at my own game and told me about a family tree software that he said was good.  I was skeptical of it, but it turned out to be great and I now own a copy and am using it.  So I thank him for all his work and suggestions.  We've known each other for four years and I thoroughly enjoy his friendship.  He has no clue how much I value his opinions and comments.  He says I am an enigma...imagine that!  He also gives me a good kick in the ass when I need it.  But he also gives me encouragement and goals, not so much in words, but by example.  He gives to his family, to his friends, to his community and to God.  Thanks Slick!  You're amazing!

So, here's to the week ahead.  Thursday won't be pretty...have to go to the lawyer in KY, the bank, the courthouse and do some packing and cleaning.  Once we get the financials done, hen we can zero in on selling the house and getting estate matters wrapped up.  Pray for us!

We, I guess I'd better finish this.  It's getting long and boring for you, my readers.  Plus I am making too many spelling mistakes.

Take care and have a great week!

Mark