We love a parade

Friday is back to the hospital.  I had a confrontation with my friend, Paul.  I was trying to help him give directions to a person needing bloodwork , but misunderstood what he was saying.  He blew up at me, but I kept apologizing and think I healed the wound.  After our normal shift, we served at the children’s party for the children of the hospital employees.  On the way the way to the party site, I met Paul returning with the cart he uses to remove the coffee pot from the ICU waiting room.  He had a confrontation with a different volunteer who had used the cart and not returned it.  Paul was livid and had nearly come to blows with another male volunteer.  He was cordial with me after our earlier confrontation.  I am blessed.  I worked with a woman whose, husband had killed himself during the summer.  He had suffered from a terrible headache and was advised by his doctor to take a stronger dose that had caused the headache in the first place.  I guess he couldn’t stand the pain.  I didn’t learn as to whether she had sued the doctor.  We came home for supper instead of eating out.  We watched a movie, The Lutchin Defense”, about a chess champion who was slightly deranged and committed suicide in the end.  It was very good.

I had missed the Gideon Christmas party, so I went to the prayer breakfast to give some money.  I drove the other Gideon in the park to a nearby town for the meeting.  We were home by 9 and we took a nap.  Evelyn had cleaned both bathrooms while I was gone.  We were both tired because we had wakened before 5.  I couldn’t sleep because I thought of many things I had to complete before Christmas.  But we couldn’t sleep in the morning either so the nap attempt was ineffective.  I went to get the man who does plumbing repairs in the park to work on our malfunctioning toilet stool in the master bathroom.  He said I needed a new stopper for the tank, so I went to get one and installed it.  It solved that problem, but there others I will need to have him repair.  Bonny called and invited us for supper.  Strangely Evelyn had some meatballs in the freezer and a jar of Prego meat flavored sauce.  She had also made a dessert and took them to their house.  In short, we were invited to dinner but took most of it ourselves.  Bonny made some spaghetti and a salad.  We had a nice visit from 6-8 and then returned home so I could work on the service for tomorrow.

We were early for worship today and were surprised at the number of attendees—31.  I had arrange for a replacement for next Sunday, and he and his wife came to the worship.  I had to go let him into the park because the gate was closed.  It turned out that today was their 50th anniversary, so I gave them a coupon for a discounted lunch at Dirty Al’s, a restaurant on South Padre Island where they went to celebrate.  We just stayed at home for lunch, and then I watched Purdue play basketball.  Evelyn was resting her leg.  I got sleepy, and we both took a nap.  We were both catching up on the sleep we had missed yesterday.  We took a bike ride around both parks and then returned to work on my future messages.  I made popcorn while we waited for the golf car Christmas parade.  People decorate their cars and even fix them so they can use Christmas lights by battery power.  It began at 6 but didn’t get to our street until 6:45.  The neighbors across the street were sitting out watching the parade too and invited us to come to their house and enjoy some wine with them.  We went for about an hour and visited.  We were very flattered because few people reciprocate after we invite them to our home.  We had the neighbors come for supper about a week ago.  Perhaps things will change.  I doubt they will though and perhaps in God’s plan.  I have been talking to a couple from Winnipeg about buying our house.

These are just 3 of the 30 “floats” in our park Christmas parade.