Tuesday, October 14, 2008

It's the Little Things....

Last Wednesday morning, after our Matins service, a woman came up to me and said, "I would like to give you a little present. It's a book.... I just got done reading it and I wanted you to have a copy too. I couldn't put it down." Of course, this made me curious: what kind of book could elicit this kind of reaction? I didn't have long to wait before I discovered: later that day a copy of The Faith Club was in my mail box at the church office. She said, "I've never known a Jewish person or a Muslim before. It was just fascinating." Here is an interesting sideline: Last spring, Keith Ellison came and spoke at our church. He is the representative of our district, and the first Muslim member of the House of Representatives.

***

Lately, I've noticed that I am beginning to have more trouble with my eyes. I especially notice this when I am trying to do the weekly puzzle in the New York Times Magazine. I have a hard time reading the letters and numbers on the acrostics, and the shiny paper, I think, makes it worse. This is cutting into my puzzle enjoyment. Even when I wear my progressive lenses, the letters and numbers are still hard to read. I did finally get an eye appointment for next week.

***

Thinking about the economy lately, I have declared an informal moratorium on buying anything. We are at that age where retirement is closer than we might like to admit. We still have time, but it is worrying. So I decided: no more books (go to the library), no more new clothes, no more bric and no more brac. And that shiny red coffee pot that I have been coveting? I don't need it. But -- funny thing -- I just saw the coziest sweater, in autumn colors, and suddenly I have this insatiable desire for new pajamas.

***

Did you know that October is Clergy Appreciation Month? Neither did I. But I got a card from a woman in the congregation just last week, with a small amount of money in it. I bought this wonderful book
:

16 comments:

Rev SS said...

I think you should get the new pj's :)

Lori said...

Me too on the pjs.

Your eyes probably just need a little prescription adjustment.

Barbara B. said...

Come on out; I'll fix your eyes up! :)

John, an unlikely pastor said...

Diane,
It's good to know you're appreciated
I got a thank you card from a confirmation student that absolutely made my day. I wasn't expecting it for him, but he wrote it out and it was an honest thank you.
don't go to long on getting those eyes checked; they come in very handy.
pax
unlikely

Unknown said...

I've done that kind of thing for a month at a time, but, oh! Not buying books! That's hard.

Lindy said...

You are so right, Diane. Most of us don't "need" anything at all. But, some softy PJs would be nice.

Anonymous said...

Go for a COMPLETE MEDICAL eye exam now!
It's cheaper than a 27 inch monitor.
It doesn't hurt as much as no more books ever.
The odds are a new presecription but . . .
Believe me! I lived it.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I hope that it will be a minor adjustment on the glasses. Or maybe just cheapo reading glasses?

I struggle with the craving for things too.

Scott said...

OOOOOh, that coffee pot looked pretty tempting to me.

Good for you - stand strong!

RevDrKate said...

The bric and the brac yes we can do without, but books....well now...glad you let yourself go with the Psalms.

RevDrKate said...

The bric and the brac yes we can do without, but books....well now...glad you let yourself go with the Psalms.

Jan said...

Where you are, pj's are a good investment. I appreciate you this month and each month.

Jennifer said...

I loved reading all of these little vignettes. You're part of my morning routine.

Jennifer said...

I loved reading all of these little vignettes. You're part of my morning routine.

Fran said...

Minneapolis is not a small city and there are Jews there... how could someone not know one?

Sorry - I got caught in that.

I thought I had left a comment here yesterday, but I guess I did not.

For the record, the only meaningful thing I said in the comment that wasn't was this- get the pj's.

Good luck with the eyes.

Diane M. Roth said...

Fran, just wanted to reply that I actually can understand, in this big city, how a person can live their whole life not knowing someone who is Jewish. We're big, but we're pretty parochial, and I think we live in our own "enclaves."