What’s the Story in Dalamory

Not o­nly is it possible to chat to people o­nline (either by typing or by speaker/headphones link) – but you can also draw with people, via the whiteboard facility.  It opens up a whole new means of communication. Not so useful for business applications, unless you happen to be a garden designer – but great fun nonetheless. However, it does make me wonder how many people are doing this during the course of a working day. I, of course, am doing it in hobby time.

Today I have to drive around 60 miles to a meeting o­n the shores of Loch Fyne. We are gathering to talk about Mission in our Presbytery. People are coming from all directions, and in addition, we have a speaker who is travelling from Edinburgh. The area of Argyll is vast, as can be seen from the map at http://www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk/html/map.htm  This shows the gardens open to the public, but I don't think I will have time to visit gardens.

Still – at least we don't generally have traffic jams.

We have a 9-hole golf course in Balvicar – very pretty and challenging. I scored 37 today.

What a pity that was o­nly for 3 holes.

The Editor of the Church of Scotland's magazine Life and Work claims that the publication has been given (yet another) new look. She refers to the “eyecatching new look….on the front cover…”  The Moderator-Designate, Dr Alison Elliot is actually o­n the cover. Yes – she looks very smart, but I wonder how she feels at being designated A New Look.

The General Assembly of the CofS starts o­n 15th May, and the so-called Blue Book, full of Board reports, has now arrived. Guaranteed to ensure a good night's sleep if used as bed-time reading. I am sorry it is not my turn to attend this year, as it would be good fun to watch all the reactions to the first female Moderator. Even I am intrigued at the description of her gown, (soft grey with yellow highlights in the pleats.) More serious is the fact that the church is still struggling to remake itself. The trouble is, that no matter how much we claim to want to be an affirming, open church that is faithful to the relevance of the gospel now, we end up suffocating under reorganisation after reorganisation.

It is as well that God is patient.

The struggle of today has been about trying to format a spreadsheet. The detail does not much matter, but my frustration has highlighted how much I need to learn. Thankfully, there is some practice and course material coming via the Argyll Digital Community project. Now all I need is to find the time to conquer it.

Otherwise it is a peaceful day. Finishing my sermon gave me much to think about. I hope it works for the congregation! Why 153 fish? That is the question.

Dana has been accusing me with soulful eyes. Apparently I have not yet reported that her weigh-in at the vet's produced much amazement. She is 29.8 kilos. Spot o­n for a female retriever.

Perhaps I need someone to put me o­n a strict diet, and to play football with me and take me for walks. Sadly, I fear that I am not quite up to all the running around required. Dana runs where I walk, and she runs five times the distance. Never mind, she is highly delighted with herself, and I think she is doing pretty well for her age. (8yrs old in June)

There is always more to learn – that is o­ne of the greatest gems of wisdom that older people often acquire. I suppose I count as an older person now. (The concessionary travel pass proves it.) Anyway, I have enjoyed learning how to resize photographs, and am becoming more proficient at improving scanned, damaged photos.  I am also realising that there is far more to Excel (spreadsheets) than I had ever dreamed possible.

But I need more hours in the day.

I am impressed at the way the Church of Scotland is getting its o­nline act together. For example, take a look at http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news/news-releases.htm – we do not have to wait long to get decent information nowadays.

But – has anyone noticed that I have been reading what is technically a “work” website during my holidays. Sad isn't it?

The wet weather encouraged me to finish the sweatshirt. I thought that Teddy would make a better model than me.

Honestly, it does fit me.

Four tulips have been giving me much pleasure all week, and therefore deserve a mention.  Two red and two yellow. Waxy and vibrant, demanding to be admired.

How easy it is to thank God for the beautiful things.
How puzzling it is to ask God about all the atrocities in the world.
The important thing is to keep talking to God.