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
: