Browsing through a mail order catalogue this week I came across the ultimate in pet accessories – A Pet stroller – complete with picture of a west highland terrier in its own doggy pushchair. They do try to say it would be useful for outings to the vet, but I cannot help wondering what next. We already have puppy-pooping mats, pet raincoats and all manner of doggy toys.
Will it be seminars on assertiveness for dogs?
A friend gave me lessons on folding, stuffing, sticking and stamping…. Yes, it was for the election effort! It seems she spent part of her youth in a mail-room and there is a definite technique for making life easier. That is like a lot of things in life, and it is good to realise that we never stop learning.
For two out of the three years I was at the University of St Andrews, I got up at five-thirty on May Day morning and went out to swim in the sea pool. It was freezing, full of seaweed but with a tremendous atmosphere as several hundred hardies milled around. At the time I never thought of it being a continuation of a pagan ritual. I suppose I think of it like that today because it is a Sunday.
It never did improve my complexion by the way, or is that washing one's face in the dew?
My thought for today is that Sunday is about expressing thankfulness and rejoicing in God's creation. And that does not depend upon how we are feeling at any particular moment. It is more about learning over the years to be aware of who we are and the part we play in the world, simply because we acknowledge something of who God is and his love.
It was easier to buy a new car yesterday than new curtains for the lounge.
In case you are interested, the car is a Fiat Punto and the curtains are magnolia.
I was speaking to a friend in Vienna last night courtesy of Skype. It is amazing what can be done with broadband. The quality was excellent. What I have discovered in using the system is that it can be variable – for example when traffic online is heavy there can be a garbled muddle. However, for speaking to people during the day or later on in the evening it is ideal. No fuss and no cost.
In the saga of the wheelbarrow I am pleased to report that the wheel has now arrived and the barrow has been assembled. Haven't tried it out yet because of the rain.
There is a very good profile of the Moderator-Designate of the Church of Scotland – in Life and Work. (Our in-house magazine.) He is pictured at the beginning of the piece with Troon Marina in the background. He was our parish minister for three years whilst I was training and during that time I did a six-month placement with him. He is a full foot taller than me, which made for an interesting liturgical statement when we stood at the front of the church.
Orra best, David in your Moderatorial Year!
Mail order shopping has its advangages – and its disadvantages. I found the perfect wheelbarrow online and duly ordered it, feeling smug that I was avoiding the problem of trying to fit it into the car and bring it home from anywhere. It arrived yesterday – without the wheel.
It took a little while to get the supplier to realise I was not a joke or hoax call, but hopefully a wheel will arrive tomorrow as promised. However, it occurs to me that I did not mention there was no axle either. I trust it is an integral part of the wheel, otherwise it is back to the help line.
It is a very “Hands on” election campaign for me on this occasion. I am away helping with the cause…..feels a bit like it did in my CND years!
Except I cannot stand up for as long.
My books on prayer and spirituality were never destined to stay in the loft for long. Too many gems and memories within. Here is one I particularly like. It is from Celtic Night Prayer
The best prayer is the most loving prayer.
The more it is laden with love,
the more the soul holds itself tenderly and lovingly before its God,
the more acceptable is that prayer.
