I know that some church members think that everything must be “perfect” at the pastor’s home (you know, just like his kids!) — that it is some kind of terrestrial paradise.  Others, I am sure, wonder “what really happens inside the preacher’s house?”  This blog post (and those which may or may not follow it) is dedicated to enlightening both sets of people.

 A Loud Voice Early …

     Last Saturday, not feeling well, and struggling to get out of bed late after a very poor night’s sleep, I was greeted with this post on Facebook from our daughter Libby in Pineville: “Good morning! Good morning! It’s great to sleep in late! Good morning! Good morning, to you!” (Sung, I assumed, to the lilting tune from the musical “Singing in the Rain” …)

     I groggily posted in return: “Wow am I glad you aren’t here! 😉  (Just kidding; you sound so perky and I feel like crud — I’d probably throw something at you!)”

     It reminded me of Proverbs 27:14, “He who greets his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him”!

Shattered Ego …

Me: “I know I haven’t fixed my hair all week since I’ve been sick, but it doesn’t it have kind of a ‘cool’ unkempt look to it?”
Cheryl & Michael, looking at each other: “Yeah, it kind of does …”
Me: “Doesn’t it make me look like a young, beachboy/surfer guy?”
Cheryl: “Um … well … uh … no …”

It Figures …

Michael & Cheryl took me out for a brief stroll in the lane in front of our house – if I stay moving I don’t get as faint as when I just stand.  And I don’t want to get too sedentary, as I figure it will only make matters worse, so I try to get out and walk a little bit each day.  As we were walking one evening, the neighbor’s Chihuahua, “Lucy”, came out to the street, barking menacingly.  I told Michael: “She always does that to me; just run briefly towards her, and she’ll immediately cower and run away; she does that every time, and it is hilarious.”  So Michael, emboldened, yelled and ran right at Lucy – but surprisingly, she charged right back at him, barking ferociously now, while flashing the most vicious set of canine teeth you have ever seen!  Michael was stunned, stopped, and then quickly retreated – and I roared with laughter!  Of course it figures: the time I tell Michael to do that, would be the first time Lucy didn’t respond that same old way.  We all laughed the rest of the way home!

Unique

One night about 11:00 I told Cheryl that there wouldn’t be much more to check on Facebook or my blog, because everyone had to go to work the next day. 

Cheryl: “Well, there’s people like me, who haven’t looked at it all day and are just catching up.”

Me laughing: “I don’t think there are too many people like you!” 😉

Teaching Michael Perspective …

Michael: “I was very gallant, and mowed over half of the yard yesterday for Mom!”

Me: “You mean MOM was very gallant, and mowed almost half of the yard for YOU!!”

No Help To Be Found …

One night I felt so badly that I couldn’t write, or read; just didn’t feel like doing anything.  I guess tv is made for times like that – so I said to Cheryl: maybe there is a Masterpiece Theatre or something on PBS I can watch.  I looked at the channel guide:

“Oh …” I said, sardonically.

“What is it?”

“Circo: the story of a struggling Mexican circus”

“Well, that should cheer you up!”

Disgusting …

Late Saturday night, Cheryl had fallen asleep on the couch, but then got up to go to bed.  She came over to my recliner and had just that second leaned over to give me a quick kiss good-night when Michael walked into the living room from taking his bath: “REALLY?”, he exclaimed disgustedly, “THIS is what I get to walk into?!”

See, it is just one endless paradise around here …